Yes, the 2018 MacBook Air's FaceTime HD Camera is Awful

[bearinthetown]

What kinds of things do you guys use the webcam for other than video calls? I remember back in late 2005 after the iMac got a webcam that people were saying they would take a low quality webcam over none at all. Back then the networks were so bad that you couldn't even keep up with the HD video with a lot going on.

Not to justify the quality, it's stupid that it was downgraded. At least keep the old spec.

The problem is that that webcam is sh** even for video calls. Have you seen the quality of a video call using these cams? It's really embarrassing to use it. It looks like from some $300 Acer. If you are, let's say, a programmer and you have a video call with your potential employer, it's really, really uncomfortable.

Also, what's wrong with doing vlogs with MacBook's cam? If somebody's into it, let them be. It's convenient. There is absolutely no excuse for this greed.

 

[retta283]

The problem is that that webcam is sh** even for video calls. Have you seen the quality of a video call using these cams? It's really embarrassing to use it. It looks like from some $300 Acer. If you are, let's say, a programmer and you have a video call with your potential employer, it's really, really uncomfortable.

Also, what's wrong with doing vlogs with MacBook's cam? If somebody's into it, let them be. It's convenient. There is absolutely no excuse for this greed.

I guess my age is showing with that second one. I don't look at much video content online. Mostly text. When I do look at videos it's usually help type videos and not vlogs. I was asking with genuine interest, not to put down anyone who wants a better cam. This has provided a good use I did not think of.

 

[bearinthetown]

I think consumers should demand some minimum. For cameras, it should be 1080p today and I mean real 1080p. I own MacBook Air 2013 and 2018 and believe me - even though both are 720p, the newer one is much worse in terms of quality. It's bad to the point of being useless.

 

[Piggie]

How about letting Tim explain that a 720p front camera is the best Apple can do.

After all, is it not Tim himself who has told us all, Apple make the very best they can.
So by that token, a 720p webcam "IS" the very best Apple can make/offer on this product.

If that's true then fine, but I would wish to hear the reasons why.
By any measure the rest of the machine is amazing in every way.

It looks like they made the deliberate decision to fit this for the sole reason of ensuring it's complained about in pretty much every other review.
Apple are not stupid, so they knew this would be pointed out as the weak spot in the entire machine.

Begs the question why would very intelligent people do this?

 

[cocoua]

720 its not the problem, lets say its 720 but with awesome IQ with extended HDR as new iphones, that would be great, but again, what then could they add in the next year macbook pro??

did you realize apole wirks like that? When they promotenew macOS with 200 plus new features, they include everything new, as in example, copy and paste changes, or new icon colors as if it is something
But is logical,

There should be a serious legal action about these cameras, as it's a clear example of false advertising. Apple is really pushing lies too far these days. It always cracks me up when any company does that. I paid a full price, so they better deliver a full product.

well tecnicaly, 720 is one kind of HD , better known as “HD ready”
Tv manufacturers used that shame marketing claim for years

 

[bearinthetown]

Begs the question why would very intelligent people do this?

I think that Apple plays with our minds and knows what it's doing. They are like a bully and seduce us at the same time. They don't give us what we request, even if costs them close to nothing. That's their long-term strategy, leaving space for improvements in each iteration. If you ask me, that's disgusting strategy, but it works. See where Apple is on the list of the most valuable companies.
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well tecnicaly, 720 is one kind of HD , better known as “HD ready”
Tv manufacturers used that shame marketing claim for years

Again, again, again... These cameras are not 720p! The resolution is not the problem with these cameras. Why do people keep repeating the same crap over and over? Like I said, MBA 2013 also had 720p, yet the image quality was better!

 

[Hym tix]

Its maddening. I see no good excuse for keeping a 720p camera from 2011. So... a few years later they cut costs and put in a lower quality 720p camera. (Was that in 2015?)

Apple just don’t care. There was a time that Apple had a believable facade that they were in the business of innovating computer technology, but examples like this just make it awkward.
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For a company that constantly redesigns and upgrades FaceTime cameras on their phones every single year... it is laughable to see such poor quality cameras across their laptop lines, especially the “Pro” line.

 

[skitidetdu]

Apple really needs to consider all webcam porn makers so they can create fullHD content soon!

 

[Macbookprodude]

Really, I think after 2012 everything went to crap with the Macbook Pros.. Apple is not the same Apple Computer we knew, its a gadget company which is cutting corners on a lot of its stuff. A disgrace, and expect us to pay high money for garbage that Apple won't even let us fully upgrade.

 

[bushbaby]

Has there been any software solution for this or is the 2019 MBA stuck with this awful camera? I just bought one and couldn't believe it was such a bad picture compared to my 2011 MBA. Considering whether I should return it for a MBP as I need to do Skypes for work.

 

[sudaltsov]

Has there been any software solution for this or is the 2019 MBA stuck with this awful camera? I just bought one and couldn't believe it was such a bad picture compared to my 2011 MBA. Considering whether I should return it for a MBP as I need to do Skypes for work.

Just return. No way to fix. Broken beyond repair, by design

 

[Zdigital2015]

Has there been any software solution for this or is the 2019 MBA stuck with this awful camera? I just bought one and couldn't believe it was such a bad picture compared to my 2011 MBA. Considering whether I should return it for a MBP as I need to do Skypes for work.

A less drastic course of action, as unnecessary as it should be, is to buy a Logitech 1080p webcam and upgrade from the 720p cam Apple uses in all their portables. That, or use an iPad such as the 2017/2018 iPad Pro or 2019 iPad Air, if you own one and conduct your Skype calls that way. Returning and spending a hefty amount more for a MacBook Pro seems counter productive, especially if you already have the machine set up the way you like. Just my 2¢.

 

[bushbaby]

A less drastic course of action, as unnecessary as it should be, is to buy a Logitech 1080p webcam and upgrade from the 720p cam Apple uses in all their portables. That, or use an iPad such as the 2017/2018 iPad Pro or 2019 iPad Air, if you own one and conduct your Skype calls that way. Returning and spending a hefty amount more for a MacBook Pro seems counter productive, especially if you already have the machine set up the way you like.

Thanks, Zdigital2015. You're right, the setup wasn't simple. Will look at the Logitech, that's probably my best choice. It does boggle the mind that ten years later, the camera in the same model is actually worse.

 

[sirozha]

Has there been any software solution for this or is the 2019 MBA stuck with this awful camera? I just bought one and couldn't believe it was such a bad picture compared to my 2011 MBA. Considering whether I should return it for a MBP as I need to do Skypes for work.

MBPs have the same crappy camera. It’s the thinness of the lid that makes it impossible to put a decent camera in there.

 

[bushbaby]

MBPs have the same crappy camera. It’s the thinness of the lid that makes it impossible to put a decent camera in there.

Thanks for the response. My old 2011 MBA feels like it's as thin and yet it had a much better picture. Had a business Skype and my colleagues noticed the difference in the new MBA right away. Am looking at web cameras.

 

[sirozha]

Thanks for the response. My old 2011 MBA feels like it's as thin and yet it had a much better picture. Had a business Skype and my colleagues noticed the difference in the new MBA right away. Am looking at web cameras.

It’s a feature in the MacBook Air. You don’t have to apply makeup anymore before your conference call.