Would you prefer an iMac without built-in camera?

[satchmo]

IMO, part of the beauty of Apple‘s XDR 6k monitor is the equal bezel all around the display. This obviously means no built in camera.
This got me thinking. What if a newly designed 30” iMac went the same route. Yeah, I know, an iMac should be an all-in-one.
But some organizations frown on built-in cams with concerns of hacks.

An external optional Apple branded camera would be positionable and flexible. Remove it for ultimate privacy. Heck, just re-introduce the iSight camera with new sensors and glass. It’s still a great looking external cam.

 

[Tekguy0]

IMO, part of the beauty of Apple‘s XDR 6k monitor is the equal bezel all around the display. This obviously means no built in camera.
This got me thinking. What if a newly designed 30” iMac went the same route. Yeah, I know, an iMac should be an all-in-one.
But some organizations frown on built-in cams with concerns of hacks.

An external optional Apple branded camera would be positionable and flexible. Remove it for ultimate privacy. Heck, just re-introduce the iSight camera with new sensors and glass. It’s still a great looking external cam.

That would be nice. But imagine what they could do if they produced a MacBook without a camera and basically no bezels (gasp!). Its not like the cameras are any good anyway.

 

[jerwin]

An external optional Apple branded camera would be positionable and flexible. Remove it for ultimate privacy. Heck, just re-introduce the iSight camera with new sensors and glass. It’s still a great looking external cam.

and if you need extra cash to tide you over during the pandemic, you could sell the webcam on the blackmarket.

 

[Fishrrman]

 

[DakotaGuy]

Just put a piece of black electrical tape over it. Problem solved.😃

 

[satchmo]

Just put a piece of black electrical tape over it. Problem solved.😃

It's not just security, it's usability.

 

[Moonjumper]

I have a sliding lens cover over my iMac camera, which has rarely moved from being covered. My iMac would look better without the cover, but I prefer the security. I’d be happy if there wasn’t a camera.

As the OP said, there are security issues, plus design issues if the bezels are to be reduced. An option is a webcam that attaches magnetically, similar to how the remote control used to on my first iMac, but positioned above the screen. Or have a pop-up camera as is now seen on some Android phones.

 

[dn325ci]

I use it and like the clean built in look. I don’t want a dorky box on top with a cable running out if it. It just needs to be a better camera.

 

[Akela_A]

The camera really isn't that big of an issue if they wanted to reduce the amount of bezel - an iMac with the bezels of an iPad Pro would be a massive step up even if it's not quite as small as the XDR display. And I doubt the iPad Pro's bezel or even the iPhone's notch is the limit to how small the bezels could be, especially if they just wanted a simple webcam instead of a 12mp camera and all the fancy FaceID features - other laptop and phone manufacturers have made devices with even thinner bezels.

Also, I think that with the current situation forcing so many people to work from home, companies are only going to double down and improve their webcams, they're certainly not going to start stripping them out any time soon.