A modern laptop with no webcam

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iamgenius

Senior member
Jun 6, 2008
803
88
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Hello folks. I need to buy a laptop for a friend, but with NO webcam. It is a tough task to find one nowadays. The laptop needs to be a modern one, and powerful enough to run current software. I know dell allows you to customize your built, but I don't want to go that route because it takes time.

If somebody is into laptops business, where can I find a ready-to-buy laptop with no webcam.

(I know webcam can be disabled, they just don't want it)


Thanks to all.
 
S

slackerinabox

Lifer
Mar 15, 2003
12,668
103
106
iamgenius said:
Hello folks. I need to buy a laptop for a friend, but with NO webcam. It is a tough task to find one nowadays. The laptop needs to be a modern one, and powerful enough to run current software. I know dell allows you to customize your built, but I don't want to go that route because it takes time.

If somebody is into laptops business, where can I find a ready-to-buy laptop with no webcam.

(I know webcam can be disabled, they just don't want it)


Thanks to all.
Click to expand...

Humor us - what's the reason behind not wanting a web cam? If it costs more to get one without a web cam, why not just disable the web cam? Of course, if he works a high security clearance job at a company that requires laptops without webcams, that's another story - but I'm sure it's an interesting story ;)
 
I

iamgenius

Senior member
Jun 6, 2008
803
88
91
freedomsbeat212 said:
Humor us - what's the reason behind not wanting a web cam? If it costs more to get one without a web cam, why not just disable the web cam? Of course, if he works a high security clearance job at a company that requires laptops without webcams, that's another story - but I'm sure it's an interesting story ;)
Click to expand...

He works for a place that bans laptops with webcams, that's all. He can get away with it, but he doesn't want to take the risk.

I don't understand the reason myself, it is weird.
 
taltamir

taltamir

Lifer
Mar 21, 2004
13,576
6
76
its psudeo-security. kinda like the TSA... very popular in behemoth corporations...
examples including using two or even three different combinations of usernames and passwords per login session, or shutting down the airport when a guy walks through a gate the wrong way.

Anyways, since disabling it is not an option then a custom build is your second best bet. If you don't have the time for that then you are truly limiting your options, in which case its just a matter of doing a whole lot of legwork looking through a variety of manufacturers' offers until you find what you want.

"no webcam" and "no custom built" are way too vague. What is the budget? how important is weight? what size monitor do you want? what kind of keyboard does he like? does finish matter? does placement of pad matters? is a minimum amount of computational power a requirement? is there a specific CPU he has in mind? does he intend to play games on it or run CUDA stuff?
 
I

iamgenius

Senior member
Jun 6, 2008
803
88
91
taltamir said:
its psudeo-security. kinda like the TSA... very popular in behemoth corporations...
examples including using two or even three different combinations of usernames and passwords per login session, or shutting down the airport when a guy walks through a gate the wrong way.

Anyways, since disabling it is not an option then a custom build is your second best bet. If you don't have the time for that then you are truly limiting your options, in which case its just a matter of doing a whole lot of legwork looking through a variety of manufacturers' offers until you find what you want.

"no webcam" and "no custom built" are way too vague. What is the budget? how important is weight? what size monitor do you want? what kind of keyboard does he like? does finish matter? does placement of pad matters? is a minimum amount of computational power a requirement? is there a specific CPU he has in mind? does he intend to play games on it or run CUDA stuff?
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was vague because you know it is hard to find a laptop without a webcam, so they will just go with whatever they find if it is not too old. Budget is 500-1000 $. Regarding weight, it needs to be less than average. Moniter size = 12-14 inch. Cor2 duo is the preferred cpu of course with at least 3 GB of RAM and 320 GB hard disk space. No, no games. Everything else doesn't matter much.


You know, I'm just thinking of buying him any good laptop and break/remove the camera somehow without hurting the looks of the laptop. Maybe that is going extreme, I don't know.
 
E

Emulex

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2001
9,759
1
71
you can CTO any business laptop with whatever options you want - you will just pay extra for it.

it's really not that hard to tint the camera - what will stop him from adding a usb camera?
 
I

iamgenius

Senior member
Jun 6, 2008
803
88
91
Emulex said:
you can CTO any business laptop with whatever options you want - you will just pay extra for it.

it's really not that hard to tint the camera - what will stop him from adding a usb camera?
Click to expand...

I knew someone will ask this. I think if they find out, they will just confiscate the camera. Whereas, if it was a webcam laptop, they will confiscate the whole thing.
 
corkyg

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
27,370
239
106
Webcams are popular. That is why most lappies off the shelf have them. But, if you order it from the OEM, a webcam is an option. I would not opt for one.
 
Raduque

Raduque

Lifer
Aug 22, 2004
13,140
138
106
Drill it out. Then, they can tell it's not there because there's a corresponding hole on the back of the lid.
 
taltamir

taltamir

Lifer
Mar 21, 2004
13,576
6
76
sounds like you are looking for a ultra light model based on your size and weight requirements.
An intel core 2 duo (or solo) CULV with no webcam.
start checking the asus, dell, and HP websites. Most lappies have webcams but some dont and fit what you need.
 
taltamir

taltamir

Lifer
Mar 21, 2004
13,576
6
76
the vostro V13 (latest model) must have a webcam.
but you can get the one model before it, customized:
http://www.dell.com/content/topics/.../bsd/laptop-vostro-1320?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd

check and see that the first two on the left (cheaper ones) come with no webcam.
there is probably a better deal out there, but as I said, you need to do a LOT of legwork and I don't have that kind of time (I already spent half an hour searching for you)
 
cbn

cbn

Lifer
Mar 27, 2009
12,968
221
106
http://www.fudzilla.com/content/view/17742/1/

I thought of this thread when I saw this fudzilla article today. I can't believe what I read in that link.

Michael and Holly Robbins found out about the alleged spying last November after their son Blake was accused by a Harriton High School official of "improper behaviour in his home".
Click to expand...
 
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akugami

akugami

Diamond Member
Feb 14, 2005
6,210
2,551
136
Webcams can be quite convenient. My two brother in law lives half a world away (I'm in the USA, he's in China) and my wife talks to them on the webcam. It's also a chance for them to see their niece (my daughter) running around live rather than just looking at a few photographs. When my two brothers and my parents went to China I also talked to them via webcam.

I personally almost never use my webcam but occasionally I do talk to family using it. I'm on the east coast while I have two uncles and their families on the west coast. I also have three aunts in France. Then there are relatives in China. Webcams, can be a good thing for communicating.

The school spying case is an extreme misuse of power but generally, webcams are safe. It is only when morons download all types of crappy malware that you get into trouble with webcams.
 
T

theevilsharpie

Platinum Member
Nov 2, 2009
2,322
14
81
HP's business laptops make the webcam optional, and most mid-range and low-end laptops don't come with one.

Assuming that you are actually planning to use this in a high-security environment, keep in mind that pretty much all modern laptops have built-in microphones.
 
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