It's time for Huawei to drop that problematic keyboard webcam from its MateBook and MagicBook laptops

[Redaktion]

At a time when everyone is hanging on Zoom calls for school, friends and business, laptop webcams have become more important than ever. Huawei, however, seems to be the one major manufacturer ignoring user feedback regarding its keyboard "nosecam" webcam.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/It-s-time-for-Huawei-to-drop-that-problematic-keyboard-webcam-from-its-MateBook-and-MagicBook-laptops.529952.0.html

[Veyron]

MagicBooks are no longer Huawei's though.

[Simon Reuter]

This is a littlebit to harsh in my opinion. Specially the Matebook 14 is a great laptop as far as I can say (I have one). 2,5k display with good colours, Ryzen 5 4600H, 16 GB Ram, 512 GB SSD, really good build quality, nearly 10h of battery life, for 800€ (thats what I payed for mine, currently it seem to be slightly more expensive)? I can get over the webcam placement for this. And the picture quality of the webcam is better then laptops I had in the past (still, most webcams, this one included, are still not good). And if you are using a laptop stand, the angle gets better.

[Mixedfish]

Wow like any reasonable person can just stack the notebook on a book or stand to get the right height. Or maybe if conference calls are so important then get an external Webcam since laptop cameras are crap anyway.

I don't see reviews hammering notebooks for removing ports or requiring adaptors, so bringing an extra Webcam isn't an issue.

[Dorby]

It's an issue NOW, in an ongoing global pandemic.

Telling people to get a dedicated webcam no different than saying buy your own windscreen wiper because the new car you're buying won't come with one, in a middle of a year-long storm.

By that logic, why would you spend your money on a stand-alone, portable device that's more expensive than if you were to buy all of it's parts separately?
Just get a miniPC, external keyboard, mouse, portable display, wireless speaker, docking station, oh and of course, a webcam, and you're all set.

If I was buying a new laptop right now, having a nosecam or not having a webcam like many Asus laptops have chosen, would be an INSTANT deal-breaker.

[Marra]

I have the Matebook 14 (the best investment ever) and the camera is NOT a problem at all, actually is kinda cool and a good feature to be able to "hide" it whenever you want.

[Richard Durant]

I agree with the writer. I have had a Magicbook for a year and it is excellent: it starts in seconds, it's very responsive, good keyboard, good speakers and so on. Even the camera is good. However, if I'd known the camera was in the keyboard I wouldn't have bought the laptop because...
1. The angle is awful
2. I tried putting the laptop on a pile of books but then the camera (being tilted upwards) shows the wall over your head
3. If you type during a meeting your screen fills with your wriggly sausage fingers.
4. Like me you will feel forced to buy an external webcam for £40 and whose quality turns out to be less good than the built-in, poorly sited webcam.
I wish I'd bought an Acer Swift 3.

[Sarragaso]

Nice hit piece

[YUKI93]

I actually don't mind having that kind of webcam for privacy purpose. But I do think that Huawei should at least give a better viewing angle for the webcam.

[Effendi]

It's not wrong if the camera is on the keyboard. You shouldn't be that harsh. For professional use such as training, short courses or even YouTube video, u should buy a macbook or buy a $100 webcam and tweak the video quality with software. Your budget & use should be a priority. Even tough it's a nosecam, if you put a background filter it should no be too obvious. Huawei & Honor laptops are half the price of XPS's. It's not fair to compare the two, different price range. I'm very satisfied with my nosecam 16" Laptop Honor Magicbook Pro 2020.

[anaconda]

I have Asus G14 zephyrus, and its webcam placement is the best. second best is huaweis, hidden under keyboard.

[Jane]

I agree with the writer. I have online proctored exam that should show my background and myself clearly, to prevent any cheating. But the angle of the camera points to my nose and the roof instead. LOL. I can use an external webcam, which is actually unnecessary if they had just positioned the built-in camera in acceptable position.