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516

Built-In Webcam and Microphone Option on Inspiron

516 points posted to Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Inspiron products by olegturaev 02/20/07

Built-in webcams are available on some XPS models. Why not on Inspiron? Right now, it's the reason I'm leaning toward HP rather than Dell.

HP offers a cheap built-in webcam and microphone option on almost all of their laptops. Since price on Dell and HP laptops is almost the same, small differences like that become important.

People use laptops more and more for VoIP. In places with internet connections and at homes, a laptop can become a free phone through programs like Skype and Google Talk. Dell should not be missing out on this new wave of customers.

I hate all wires, which is why I switched to laptops. Removing the webcam wire would be a big step up for Dell.

chew
03/21/07		 I was just about to confirm the purchase of a batch of Precision M65 for my company when I checked with the sales guy if this model has a built-in microphone because the last batch of Inspiron 6400 we bought didn't have it. That had caused quite a lot of inconvenices for my people as we were previously using Inspiron 8600 which has the built-in microphone. When he confirmed that it didn't have one, I thank him for his time and are now looking at other options.

Built-in microphone on laptops are a must-have and always assume to be there so seriously I am puzzled by Dell's decision to exclude them. Do you guys seriously expect us to have an external microphone at hand all the time? I guess you just lost our business this time so hopefully in another year and a half when we make another purchase, we will not be disappointed again as Dell had been great in the service and products till the past 2 years.
mboyington
04/19/07		 Seriously guys, this feature is almost mandatory. It is offered as an option on the 12" laptop - why not on the Inspiron computers? I personally LOVE 15" - 12" is too small and not enough power, 17" is far too large. I love my E1505, but i HATE that when i'm moving around I have to carry around my webcam with me!
I understand not having this by default, but I'm not sure I understand why it's not offered as an option. Even if very expensive (say $100), I know that a lot of users, including myself, would gladly pay the extra to have a built-in webcam and mic on the Dell laptop of our choosing!
jervis961
04/19/07		 I don't care about the camera as much as the microphone, I would love to try using speech recognition software.
premcv
04/19/07		 I would definitely love to have array-microphone on my laptop to help with speech recognition.
murrayj128
05/08/07		 microphone is an absolute must these days i agree
ron.
05/09/07		 I agree also that a built in microphone is a must must must! I am very disappointed that the new Latitude D830 does not have one.
the D820 does. The now make 2 times that I've experience the dropping of the built in microphone from the product line:
The precision M60 had one, the M65 does not. I am currently holding one, limping along with a very old M60 waiting for
a laptop with a built in microphone. I also think the 15.4" screen size is ideal.
I agree with every one here. Come on Dell, please listen up!
ron.
05/10/07		 One addition to the 15.4" size comment, (because I hope dell is listening) -- I would always chose the high res WUXGA (1920x1200)
option.
ron.
05/10/07		 maybe the d830 has one -- I'm confused by the descriptions. I wish dell would clarify.
chew
06/08/07		 I was just looking at the D830 too but likewise, no in-built microphone and the graphic chip is lame. Playing Oblivion or Gothic 3 on it is definitely out. What's the idea Dell? Why do I get the feeling that you guys are getting lamer over the years by cutting out the essentials and expect people to buy them? At the very least give us more options.
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