Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Portables Without Cameras?

Posted by Soulskill on from the why-does-my-toothbrush-have-a-camera dept.

crankyspice writes "I work routinely in environments where a camera cannot physically be present (e.g., federal court), which really limits what I can carry with me. For instance, I'm a Mac guy, but there's no way to order a MacBook without a built-in webcam (which I've never used on the machines I've owned that have had one). Ditto the iPhone. I'm left with a BlackBerry 8830 and the bottom rung of the [W|L]Intel portables. Even then, when I ordered a Dell Mini 9, I had to wait more than a month because I specified no webcam when I placed the order. This is a relatively common (government, law, sensitive corporate environments) requirement; what have other Slashdotters done? Disabling the camera with a script or somesuch won't convince the $12/hour security guard that there's no camera. How can one easily find portable devices without a built-in camera?"

5 of 442 comments (clear)

  1. These places should do what others do by ggendel · · Score: 5, Informative

    Many high security establishments, both government and commercial, realize that they can't stop technology without serious concessions. What some do are to put a special tamper-proof tag over the camera. Then they just inspect the tag when you exit and, if tampered, confiscate the device until it can be validated.

  2. Re:dude.. by (H)elix1 · · Score: 5, Informative

    A sticker over the lens will usually keep the casual inspector at bay...

    --
    +++ UGUCAUCGUAUUUCU
  3. Get an OQO by clam666 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Get an OQO. Fits in a pocket, full windows xp/vista. Mobile broadband built right in. Extended batteries for hours of use.

    http://www.oqo.com/

    --
    I'm a satanic clam.
  4. Re:military solution by paxswill · · Score: 5, Informative

    You can get Apple to remove the camera. I remember reading in a security document about disabling the camera. An option listed is to have it removed by an Apple service center (an Apple Store might do it, but unlikely), and they'll make a note of it in the Applecare database. You get a warranty, no camera, and access to secured areas.

  5. Re:Sounds like you've covered it pretty well by SectoidRandom · · Score: 5, Informative

    I don't know what both you and the original question asker are talking about.

    I just went onto Dell's website and looked at the first range of laptops that I would ever consider for myself and NONE of the models have webcams? Why?

    Because I selected 'Enterprise / Corporate' on the first page and not 'Home - give-me-all-your-crap-that-only-the-children-would-use'. :)

    Come to think of it, I've only ever owned one laptop with a webcam, that that was back in the day (>5 years ago) when the only way to get a decent 3d card in a laptop was to go for the home models, since then none of my laptops have them simply because when I buy a laptop I want one designed to work, not look good, etc.

    See:
    Dell Examples

    HP Examples

    BTW, pretty much any business model laptop will include a model without webcam, for the exact reason raised by the original questioner.