Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

No FaceTime HD on new MacBook...welcome back 2010!

Why 480p facetime on the new MB?

That's the one thing I don't get, do they need thicker case for a higher resolution camera?
 
Well, now you know if you want to decently videoconference with others this Macbook isn't for you :D
I neither understand the point of having 8gb of RAM in a machine that isn't supposed to be used for heavy tasks, since 4gb of RAM is enough for anything that doesn't involve virtual machines/heavy editing or design programs (https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1756865/). This, and 256GB SSD. If they did it 4 & 128GB for $1000 it would be the "perfect" (well, let's say adequate) consumers machine, but it feels like they tried to make it "premium" in one way to complement the lack (or downgrade) in the other way.
 
Psyfuzz said:
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.
Click to expand...

The screen is too thin to fit a 720p camera, probably. Look at the placement of the web camera in the new Dell XPS 13.

Personally, I never use Facetime/Skype video on my Mac notebooks. I hate doing video conversations since it means I have to take on clothes before I answer the call.

----------
Psyfuzz said:
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.
Click to expand...

Having a 480p camera is preferable if you are talking to ugly people. I would prefer not to have a camera at all so that people would not have to look at me.
If this Macbook came with no webcam I would still buy it. It is almost a completely useless feature to me and in many cases a feature I dislike.

It would me more important to me to have a good microphone.
 
hans1972 said:
The screen is too thin to fit a 720p camera, probably. Look at the placement of the web camera in the new Dell XPS 13.
Click to expand...

I think the Dell's webcam is there because there's no room in the bezel. If an iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch can fit a FaceTime HD cam, I have to believe the MB could fit it. I'm like you though in that I never use my webcam either so I don't care but people who do should feel burned.
 
Last edited:
maclook said:
I think the Dell's webcam is there because there's no room in the bezel. If an iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch can fit a FaceTime HD cam, I have to believe the MBA could fit it. I'm like you though in that I never use my webcam either so I don't care but people who do should feel burned.
Click to expand...

So how thick is the screen at the top of a Macbook? It might be thinner than on the Macbook Airs.
 
i guess Apple wanted to keep something "classic" on the "new" MB...the same 480 isight camera as the 2006 model :eek: (I thought that this new MB was supposed to have all of the new cutting edge technology, guess not, but I'm still buying one, I can just use my iPhone for that)
 
What's even more funny is that the HD camera module is actually smaller than the old 480p one. And price wise, i doubt the hd model costs way more (probably $1-2 more, which is nothing compared to the margins apple makes on that notebook, probably $500+).

I bet the 2nd gen comes with 2 USB ports and HD Facetime camera. :D
 
i talked with Tim and the second generation will have the same 8MP camera from iPhone 6
 
MattZani said:
I've literally never used the FaceTime camera on my rMBP.

Also why care? You aren't seeing it, just hope the person you're calling has a 720p one.
Click to expand...

Lol, you are funny. First, the fact you've never used it doesn't mean other people doesn't.
Second, let's use then 1930's microphone diafragms on 2015's smartphones, any problem? If it's the other you are talking with, who has to hear your distorted radiophonic voice, not you! :D
Btw, don't tell me it wouldn't fit in actual thin phones... I'm being sarcastic.
 
The vitriol around this new MacBook reminds me of s Simpsons quote from Agnes Skinner.

Agnes Skinner: And you! Start over! I want everything in one bag.
Bag Boy: Yes, ma'am.
Agnes: But I don't want the bag to be heavy.
Bag Boy: I don't think that's possible...
Agnes: What are you, the "possible police"? Just do it!

It's not hard to understand that you can't have everything all at once at no compromise. Yet 4 pages in, there's a ton of posts asking for everything at at once for free with no compromises.
 
lulla01 said:
It will be easy for them to pitch FaceTime HD as an upgrade in the next model.
Click to expand...

Very true. Apple seems to often leave out some nice features of brand new products. For example, there was no backlit keyboard on the, then, new 2010 MBAs yet they brought it back the very next year.

Was there a good reason for leaving our the back lite keyboard the first year? I don't know (maybe they ran out of time). I bought it (and was always grumbling that I missed it). I never upgraded the next year.

I suspect there will be a HD version next year. I won't miss it. I'm excited about the 12" retina screen in.such a small form factor. I can live with 480p.
 
Last edited:
AliMacs said:
Lol these responses make me laugh all the time. Apple does this for only one reason and one reason only: to maximize margin profits.

They don't give you a 720p or higher not because they can't. It's because they have learned in order to make earnings for next quarter they need to keep selling. And if they threw in all the latest and greatest why would anyone buy another MacBook v2??

They keep it bare minimum so next few iterations there is something u can deem worth it to upgrade. Cash cow plan baby. Nothing wrong with this but you will be the chump if you ever buy any apple v1 product. Wait for at least v2 or even v3.

Just look at the iPad mini 3. Lol. Apple tax at its best. This new MacBook is basically the iPad pro with keyboard. Except no touch screen and cannot detach from keyboard. That Microsoft sp4 can't come soon enough!
Click to expand...

No, I don't want to wait for the next generation. I'm looking forward to a. Retina screen in such a small form factor NOW. I'm not a fool. I know what I'm getting. I have no problem paying the Apple tax.
 
Last edited:
Psyfuzz said:
"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.
Click to expand...

The pricing makes sense to me. There probably was a lot of R&D that needs to be accounted for: New trackpad, new keyboard, super thin screen.

And I love how expensive it is! I am perfectly willing to pay extra for the new features and reduced size and weight. I think it is a work of art and I can't wait to own one.
 
The only reason to get the Macbook over the base model rMBP is portability.

Yes, the lack of HD webcam is glaring. Probably won't matter to most consumers but when you do a comparison on the Apple site it sticks out.
 
hans1972 said:
Personally, I never use Facetime/Skype video on my Mac notebooks. I hate doing video conversations since it means I have to take on clothes before I answer the call.

Having a 480p camera is preferable if you are talking to ugly people. I would prefer not to have a camera at all so that people would not have to look at me.
Click to expand...


Ha ha ha! Seriously? So let's summarize: usually you're working naked in front of your computer. You feel ashamed of your ugly friends, which might be ashamed of your look as well?

LOL! :D

Well, Apple has a solution for people like you as well: FaceTime Audio :rolleyes:
 
hans1972 said:
So how thick is the screen at the top of a Macbook? It might be thinner than on the Macbook Airs.
Click to expand...

They say it's the thinnest Retina screen they've ever made. The MBA isn't Retina, so... and that doesn't mean the casing is the thinnest, but it probably is.

And yes, "better" cameras are thicker - just look at the iphone 6 and its protruding camera.

Dell chose to put their camera in the lower corner of the XPS13. Apple chose to go with a 480p one. Probably the same technical problem, just not the same answer to it. One shows your nostrils in HD, the other shows your face in low def. Choices :rolleyes:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back