Apple are replacing their investment in modernising the Air with this. That's the problem.
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No FaceTime HD on new MacBook...welcome back 2010!
- Thread starter Pumapayam
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Apple are replacing their investment in modernising the Air with this. That's the problem.
I'm sure it's because the screen's too thin. It's thinner than an iPhone or really any other Apple device. They wouldn't have been able to get away with a bump in that lid like they did on the new iPhone 6's, which I still think is an eye sore and something Jobs would never have approved of.
I dont understand why they wouldn't put a 720p camera since the display has to be thicker than the MBA display...how much more would it have costed them???
The camera and a 12 hour battery are the only 2 other features i would have wanted...apart from that im happy with everything and will probably be buying it
The camera and a 12 hour battery are the only 2 other features i would have wanted...apart from that im happy with everything and will probably be buying it
Urg, so many apologists in here it makes my skin-crawl.
"It's not made for you/there's other options"
It doesn't matter! It's 2015! This laptop costs over a grand! That's not an excuse, the consumer deserves better than 480p in this price range regardless of their usage or needs from the camera.
"To keep costs down"
Let's not pretend Apple ever cuts it fine with profit margins, for a company of Apple's size and on the scale 720p cameras are produced and implemented the price difference has got to be minimal - certainly not heavy enough that they'd need to dramatically inflate the cost per unit.
Serious stockholm-syndrome or something, accept that this a weak deal! People look back on the 1st-generation Air and have no problem picking apart the problems it initially had, why are they unable to accept this is just the same thing where the performance/feature-set is dramatically out of balance with the pricing.
Irrespective of what you use the laptop for, this thing still costs a lot of money let's not pretend Apple was doing us a favour by throwing weaker components under the hood.
Such a poor addition to the Macbook family, a clamshell iPad. And no, this isn't 'the future' and we should 'catch-up', I'd rather embrace the future that holds tangible benefits, not being dragged there with a $75 accessory bill artificially attached to it.
"It's not made for you/there's other options"
It doesn't matter! It's 2015! This laptop costs over a grand! That's not an excuse, the consumer deserves better than 480p in this price range regardless of their usage or needs from the camera.
"To keep costs down"
Let's not pretend Apple ever cuts it fine with profit margins, for a company of Apple's size and on the scale 720p cameras are produced and implemented the price difference has got to be minimal - certainly not heavy enough that they'd need to dramatically inflate the cost per unit.
Serious stockholm-syndrome or something, accept that this a weak deal! People look back on the 1st-generation Air and have no problem picking apart the problems it initially had, why are they unable to accept this is just the same thing where the performance/feature-set is dramatically out of balance with the pricing.
Irrespective of what you use the laptop for, this thing still costs a lot of money let's not pretend Apple was doing us a favour by throwing weaker components under the hood.
Such a poor addition to the Macbook family, a clamshell iPad. And no, this isn't 'the future' and we should 'catch-up', I'd rather embrace the future that holds tangible benefits, not being dragged there with a $75 accessory bill artificially attached to it.
apologists? i really like the new macbook, think it's a brilliant design...and a good indication of where apple is headed. i look forward to seeing the new design work it's way into the rest of the line.
meanwhile, it's first-generation. it's not for you? fine. but that doesn't mean it's not for others...
the future for apple is where apple decides to go. you can go with them, or...stay here, and tell us how it SHOULD be.
apologists? i really like the new macbook, think it's a brilliant design...and a good indication of where apple is headed. i look forward to seeing the new design work it's way into the rest of the line.
meanwhile, it's first-generation. it's not for you? fine. but that doesn't mean it's not for others...
the future for apple is where apple decides to go. you can go with them, or...stay here, and tell us how it SHOULD be.
"it's not for you? fine. but that doesn't mean it's not for others..."
So there's a user out there that would voluntarily prefer a 480p camera versus a 720p one? No, everyone would prefer it. Apple chose the weaker component.
Tell them how it should be? Their future should at least try and create value for the customer, that's what Apple should be doing. I'd rather stay where I am if the future is weaker components, pretty much non-existant IO, near mandatory accessories and no, having 3 choices of colours doesn't excuse it.
I just can't believe there's people out there that are defending a 480p camera in a laptop costing over $1000. Just because it can sell to a demographic in it's current form doesn't mean it's right to, out of respect of your customers you should be offering value or at least a standard.
But I guess I'm not allowed to criticise this product because I'm not enamoured with it? I'm supposed to just accept this issues I have with the new direction because just because it's their 'direction'?
To be clear, I have no issues with the Macbook itself, I have issue with the pricing they're releasing it at and find they're taking unfair advantage of a market which is willing to accept a lot of negatives regardless of pricing.
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That's the problem with apple buyers. Most of them don't think about value. They will buy anything Apple makes because it's how it was meant to be made. Apple decides what's best for you and in 2015 Apple says no way should you be using that laptop for FaceTime anyway. No way should you need more than 480p camera. No way you need more than one port because it's ludicrous with ubiquitous wifi. And if you do need it Apple says you're willing to pay $79 plus tax for a dongle that gives you one hdmi and one usb lol.
You are a smart man my friend but majority of Apple shoppers are really either dumb as an ox or happy as a sheep. Why do you think Apple profits are astounding!? Reuse old tech, charge a ginormous margin on it and reap in cash each quarter.
If you cannot see how competition has matched apple's offering you must be blind! Look at the Samsung s6/edge look at microsofts upcoming sp4. Sure OSX is preferred but that's not gonna stop me from looking at other much more dollar for dollar value competitor. Windows 10 is around the corner and seriously it isn't nearly as bad as people make it.
But nowadays I question the objective of Apple because look at the watch it doesn't solve any problems it is just overpriced watch and force touch isn't a deal breaker on other devices. Sure it's thin but give me more battery life I'm happy to carry a few more lbs.
We are not just talking about the 480p camera. It's the whole package here. Break it down and look at the price again and tell me this thing has full value for the money in 2015 vs competition.
you're paying for new tech. if that doesn't work for you, get a different macbook. if THAT doesn't work for you, get a PC laptop.
apple users aren't one thing, don't think one way (witness these forums). for me, it's the design aesthetic, AND OS X...the os i find i prefer. but we have choices. why are so many people hysterical about this? it's where things are headed. if you don't like it, go somewhere else.
apple users aren't one thing, don't think one way (witness these forums). for me, it's the design aesthetic, AND OS X...the os i find i prefer. but we have choices. why are so many people hysterical about this? it's where things are headed. if you don't like it, go somewhere else.
you're paying for new tech. if that doesn't work for you, get a different macbook. if THAT doesn't work for you, get a PC laptop.
apple users aren't one thing, don't think one way (witness these forums). for me, it's the design aesthetic, AND OS X...the os i find i prefer. but we have choices. why are so many people hysterical about this? it's where things are headed. if you don't like it, go somewhere else.
People will be paying the Price of new tech, but getting a spec from 2008. 480P camera? No excuses there, it's pathetic really.
That and the fact they have one port now, basically shifts the practicality of the device back to where the first gen macbook air started and looking back I'm sure most apple fan boys will concede the lack of ports on that device was crap as well.
Yeah, me. Actually, I don't care about the camera at all, be it 480p or HD.
I think they didn't "choose" it specifically. I think they put more weight to keeping the slimest design they could achieve. The camera is the victim of the same design choice as the ports are. They already increased the height of the screen so I guess there was no more room there.
Dell chose to put the camera in the bottom corner of the XPS (13", not 12" in a 11"6 case), probably for the same issue. People are not happy with it either. Not so sure that's a better choice.
you're paying for new tech. if that doesn't work for you, get a different macbook. if THAT doesn't work for you, get a PC laptop.
apple users aren't one thing, don't think one way (witness these forums). for me, it's the design aesthetic, AND OS X...the os i find i prefer. but we have choices. why are so many people hysterical about this? it's where things are headed. if you don't like it, go somewhere else.
And there we have it, fully submitting to the direction of a company without any care or interest in giving them direction.
Are you forgetting it's their responsibility to give us what we want? not telling us what we want? The entire world would want a 720p camera over a 420p, the entire world would've liked the peripheral hub in the box since you're going to need it. Yet they've chosen higher margins over providing better value to the consumer, yet we're supposed to sit back and accept this?
I feel like you're just going in circles, not countering any real points and falling back on the 'go elsewhere/it's not for you' argument.
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My point is, if price was identical between the models and it was going to have a camera regardless you would prefer the HD one - it's just a better value regardless of how much use and at this price range you're entitled to the better camera anyway.
You may not completely fill the boot every time but if everything else was the same you wouldn't say no to a bit more etc.
It's the same mistakes Apple made with the first generation Air - which is almost unanimously accepted as an ambitious but flawed laptop. I'm just surprised history is repeating itself yet people aren't noticing.
you're kidding right? this is an american corporation, that does (and has always done) exactly what it wants to do. steve jobs would have laughed you out of the room. look at history; removing firewire, abandoning the floppy drive, the optical drive. etc. etc. tech companies steer us into the future, they don't ask the general population which way things should go.
good you're here to tell us what 'the entire world' wants...
My point is, I don't care. They could get totally rid of it, as far as I'm concerned. And if they're going to put one in, I truly don't care what it is.
So no, I wouldn't.
But then I agree I'm probably the minority here. I was just answering to your "everybody wants a HD one, EVERYBODY".
When I do FaceTime, I use my iPhone (or iMac if I'm home, but let's say I'm not). I haven't used Skype in ages, and when I did, the quality wasn't up to the camera anyway.
you're kidding right? this is an american corporation, that does (and has always done) exactly what it wants to do. steve jobs would have laughed you out of the room. look at history; removing firewire, abandoning the floppy drive, the optical drive. etc. etc. tech companies steer us into the future, they don't ask the general population which way things should go.
good you're here to tell us what 'the entire world' wants...
I'm not here to say what the entire world wants, but it's not a stretch to suggest a majority of people who use any form of USB cable whether it be external storage, even other Apple products will need the peripheral etc which costs a fair bit on top of an already steep price tag.
Yes value is subjective, but I don't think there's many people smiling when they find out they've got to fork over $75 to physically charge/sync their $600 iPhone or external hard drive from their new $1299 laptop, or that their less than 3 year old $1000 thunderbolt display is now incompatible with their latest Macbook.
I get it, they're a business. There's a bottom line to meet - but there's a line in taste when delivering a fair value to the consumer. The iPhone delivers this, competitive pricing, competitive hardware, competitive OS etc
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I didn't say everyone wants one, my point is if a camera was going to come with the laptop regardless as they are now, a huge majority would prefer the better camera - it's just as a simple as that. You're footing the bill, you might as well get the better kit.
cmon now: "And there we have it, fully submitting to the direction of a company without any care or interest in giving them direction.
Are you forgetting it's their responsibility to give us what we want? not telling us what we want? The entire world would want a 720p camera over a 420p, the entire world would've liked the peripheral hub in the box since you're going to need it. "
there is a $19 usb to usb-c adapter. there will undoubtedly be 3rd-party adapters. this is just the beginning (for the new design, for usb-c). be patient. read the real-use reviews. try it yourself. then decide what you need...or don't.
I'm sure it is great, but if you want people to happily adopt a new mandatory technology at least throw this $19 USB to USB C adapter in the box, at least meet halfway. Imagine Apple introducing Thunderbolt with a Thunderbolt-only Macbook where the adaptors are bought separately, all round backlash. I just all round find it insulting that the consumer is being asked to foot the bill for a piece of already-expensive laptop.
As mentioned above a lot of the target demographic for this product won't know better - I find it in bad taste to take advantage of that.
You said everyone would prefer one :
And all I was saying is that I don't care one way or the other. I do not prefer a HD one.
But let's not play on words. The (big) majority, yes. But they may have not liked the cost ($ or design).
I know I said everyone would prefer it which I stand by, it's just the better choice between the two options for the same cost. I have a hard time believing if people put two laptops in-front of you, literally identical in spec, price, everything except one had a better camera you wouldn't choose it. Nothing wrong with that, it's just being smarter with your money. One day you might use the camera, who knows, but it's worth just being safe. Who would prefer weaker kit if you're going to have to pay the same price anyway? No camera vs a camera is a separate argument.
I have a hard time believing a slightly better camera would've dramatically affected the price, and it would've only have effected their margins per product at the end of the day - the cheaper camera just reduces the cost on their end.
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Well there you have it. Money grows on trees!
I have an iPad Air 2. Let me tell you about apple quality. Speaker rumbles so hard it vibrates the iPad off the table all on its own. Hold the iPad in right hand screen distorts. Having problems with my first iPad Air 2 because of hard locks and tlc related flash memory issues.
But at least they threw me a bone. 2GB ram finally. Glass laminated screen. And finally a camera from the iPhone 5. It only took the milking us from the iPad 1, 2/3/4/air to finally have these features. This was in nov 2014.
I have an iPad Air 2. Let me tell you about apple quality. Speaker rumbles so hard it vibrates the iPad off the table all on its own. Hold the iPad in right hand screen distorts. Having problems with my first iPad Air 2 because of hard locks and tlc related flash memory issues.
But at least they threw me a bone. 2GB ram finally. Glass laminated screen. And finally a camera from the iPhone 5. It only took the milking us from the iPad 1, 2/3/4/air to finally have these features. This was in nov 2014.
Fair enough. Where we differ is that I don't think it was just a question of price, so your comparison is not possible. I think that, at this stage, the trade off was more than the price difference between the two cams (probably not that much). HD cameras are probably slightly bulkier than 480p ones (hence the iPhone 6's camera not being flush with the body). Maybe a 720 would have fit, maybe not.
So it would have meant a thickier panel, and/or a bigger one. Might be worth it for people, but that was clearly going against Apple's goal for this iteration of the machine.
This is a demonstration of engineering power machine.
For all those saying this is Apple gouging the consumer at the price point... I saw this in another post:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-...lver/8636102.p?id=1219357504926&skuId=8636102
This is very similar to the new MB spec-wise but with 360 hinge and touch screen. But it is a lot bigger physically. The reviews are ok for it, though battery is way less even though it is bigger and heavier and lacks the new Force Touch pad and (maybe better or worse) keyboard tech and lighting. Not sure on the camera--not listed in specs.
But my point is that Apple Is not overcharging by that much for what this is compared to other similar CoreM ultra books.
And to the point of this thread... I could care less about whether the camera is 480p or 720p. FaceTime and Skype have never looked all that high res, even on my late model 2014 rMPB. I have a feeling that it's due more to the super thin screen than anything else.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-...lver/8636102.p?id=1219357504926&skuId=8636102
This is very similar to the new MB spec-wise but with 360 hinge and touch screen. But it is a lot bigger physically. The reviews are ok for it, though battery is way less even though it is bigger and heavier and lacks the new Force Touch pad and (maybe better or worse) keyboard tech and lighting. Not sure on the camera--not listed in specs.
But my point is that Apple Is not overcharging by that much for what this is compared to other similar CoreM ultra books.
And to the point of this thread... I could care less about whether the camera is 480p or 720p. FaceTime and Skype have never looked all that high res, even on my late model 2014 rMPB. I have a feeling that it's due more to the super thin screen than anything else.
Wow, i'm so glad I saw this thread. I was just about to sell my mid 2014 13 inch macbook pro so I could get this but the non hd facetime camera is a deal breaker for me.
How could Apple do this and think the masses would be ok with it? It's kind of embarassing actually...
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I'm so glad i'm not the only one who noticed this with the speaker rumble! It's so annoying! I never noticed this with every iPad i've owned prior to this one (and ive owned them all) It's sad too cuz outside of this issue, its a perfect iPad.
How could Apple do this and think the masses would be ok with it? It's kind of embarassing actually...
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I'm so glad i'm not the only one who noticed this with the speaker rumble! It's so annoying! I never noticed this with every iPad i've owned prior to this one (and ive owned them all) It's sad too cuz outside of this issue, its a perfect iPad.
The extra wiring on a higher resolution sensor takes up no extra depth. The optics dominate the length of a camera by a long shot. I think they just didn't want to bug down the CPU and GPU of an architecture that is already over tasked by a high res screen (which is another reason why they really should have put a retina screen in the Air instead).
Actually the rMini is a curious case where the Gen 1 and Gen 3 buyers got taken to the woodshed. Only the rMini 2 folks got a good deal. Apple is pretty unpredictable that way.
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This. I can almost see Cook or Schiller trotting around the stage proclaiming that they have innovated and managed to put the most amazing camera that anyone in the history of mankind has ever put into a rMB.