What Laptop Has the Best Built In Camera?

Laptop cameras are notoriously hit and miss. Unfortunately, more often than not, they tend to miss the mark. Never has this been more apparent than today. Since early last year, video conferencing has become increasingly central to many of our lives.

Whether for work, school, or socially, almost all of us now rely on platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams to one degree or another. When it comes to work and school, these services are best accessed on laptops and desktop computers. For desktop users, that invariably means a standalone webcam. Laptops, meanwhile, usually have a built in camera.

However, compared to the latest smartphones and tablets, these built-in laptop cameras can be somewhat disappointing. For a long time, laptop cameras were an added convenience rather than as a primary feature. With that, their use has typically been occasional at best.

Now, though, they’re a must-have feature for an ever-growing number of users. Accordingly, laptop manufacturers have sought to respond by improving their built in camera offerings. But which is the best? Currently, Microsoft is leading the pack in the shape of its $1,300 15-inch Surface Laptop 4.

It stands to reason that the multinational technology corporation behind Microsoft Teams would be among the first to improve its built-in laptop cameras. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 is a fantastic example, especially in 15-inch guise where it costs from $1,299.99.

For that, buyers get a high-definition built-in webcam that’s designed to work in all manner of different lighting conditions. Microsoft promises that its 720 HD camera will keep users looking their best, whether that’s on a Microsoft Teams video call or when using Zoom and other alternatives.

Furthermore, a pair of far-field studio-quality microphones then simultaneously isolate background noise and capture users’ voices crisply and clearly. At the same time, Omnisonic speakers are able to reproduce what’s being said by others for the optimal video calling experience.

The ultra-slim Surface Laptop 4 from Microsoft also boasts faster-than-ever performance. It has a 3:2 touchscreen and up to 19 hours of battery life, too. Other benefits include cloud-powered security, a removable solid-state drive, and a choice of platinum and matte black finishes.

By default, the 15-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 gets an AMD Ryzen 7 4980U processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. It’s possible to upgrade to an Intel Core i7 processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, too, albeit at an additional cost of $1,100. As such, the top-of-the-range model will set buyers back $2,399.99.

Microsoft’s Surface Laptop 4 is further available as a 13.5-inch device, priced from a penny under $900. Special pricing may be available for eligible students, parents, teachers, and military personnel on both models.

Apple has long been praised for the built in camera technology in its MacBooks. In fact, Apple recently announced that its new MacBook Pro models would feature a 1080p webcam, known as the FaceTime camera. It remains to be seen whether this so-called FaceTime camera will improve upon Microsoft’s offering as found on its latest Surface laptops.

Alienware’s latest laptops also continue to receive rave reviews when it comes to their built-in cameras. These are more focused toward streaming and other applications tied to gaming, as is the nature of the brand. That said, their laptops’ built-in cameras are proving to be a useful perk alongside their more gaming-focused benefits.

Extended warranties are available for all of Microsoft’s latest Surface laptops, tablets, and 2-in-1s. This list includes the Surface Laptop 4, Surface Laptop Go, Surface Laptop Studio, Surface Pro X, Surface Pro 8, Surface Go 3, and Surface Duo 2—courtesy of Upsie. Various models cost upwards of $2,000, so an extended warranty or protection plan is essential. When it’s being used for work or school, a warranty is even more important.

With Upsie, comprehensive Microsoft Surface laptop warranty coverage is available at a saving of up to 70 percent compared to policies sold elsewhere. Upsie makes this possible by cutting out the middleman and passing on the savings to consumers. Benefits of a laptop computer warranty from Upsie include protection against manufacturer defects, mechanical faults, accidental damage like drops and spills, and much more.

Consumers can also protect laptops from Apple, Alienware, and all other major manufacturers with Upsie.