Portables Without Cameras? 442
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?"
thinkpad (Score:2, Informative)
check out the T400 or the T61 if they still sell it.
These places should do what others do (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Sounds like you've covered it pretty well (Score:4, Informative)
Re:dude.. (Score:5, Informative)
A sticker over the lens will usually keep the casual inspector at bay...
but there's no way to order a MacBook without (Score:4, Informative)
You can run OS X on the Dell Mini 9 (Score:1, Informative)
military solution (Score:5, Informative)
The US govt bought some macbooks without cameras. I don't know if Apple removed them before selling to them, or if they had a 3rd party doing the removal process. What I DO know is they were manufactured with the cameras in them, and removed after production and packaging.
Re:Step back a bit... (Score:3, Informative)
Or better yet, get a piece of trim tape that matches closely to the color of the laptop bezel. Cut it to match and look stock.
When asked, say "If I ordered one with a camera, that's where it would go" If you use an automotive class trim or striping tape it will not easily come off or peel at the edges.
it's very VERY easy to outwit $12.00 an hour security.
Get an OQO (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/ [oqo.com]
Spray Paint and Super Glue (Score:3, Informative)
I have a similar working situation. Here, we petitioned to be allowed to bring in devices with cameras. The seriously non-technical solution we arrived at is to spray paint over the lens with the color of the case, let it dry, then superglue a piece of clear plastic over the spray paint. The judges approved of it (and did it with their own devices) and security was notified to be aware of this modification.
The only issue? Warranty. The solution? Letter from the judge and from the head of security stating why the procedure was necessary, that to their knowledge the manufacturer of the product has no alternatives without cameras, and to please perform a warranty repair on all portions of the device except the camera. Several of us have taken our devices for repairs. Dell cried like a little girl, but was finally convinced. Apple said no problem, but the camera is not covered. Sony said piss off and die. So, your mileage may vary.
Nevertheless, it works, and a curious security guard just has to pry at it to realize it is not coming off.
Re:military solution (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Lenovo T series? (Score:3, Informative)
The T60s [ibm.com] and T61s [ibm.com] still ship without cameras.
Re:dude.. (Score:3, Informative)
On my first day, I was issued a Macbook Pro with a disabled camera, and a sticker adjacent to the lens reading "this camera has been physically disabled per [companyname] policy."
Re:Sounds like you've covered it pretty well (Score:4, Informative)
Thinkpads! (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Sounds like you've covered it pretty well (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 [dell.com]
HP Examples [hp.com]
BTW, pretty much any business model laptop will include a model without webcam, for the exact reason raised by the original questioner.
Re:Step back a bit... (Score:3, Informative)
A P38 can opener, for those of you who don't know, is quite possibly the least expensive can-opener possible. It could be accurately be described as a "hinged razor-blade."
I don't know about new ones, but mine's from the 80's and is dull as can be. Still does a great job on cans. I've carried through airports and courthouses all over the US and Europe on my keychain, and it's never been a problem.
They're less than a buck, and a great thing to have on your keychain.
Loserboy nerds... (Score:0, Informative)
... Put duct tape on the freakin' camera and it's done.
I've run out of shit, so head out to the nearest public toilet and swirl yourselves.
Re:These places should do what others do (Score:3, Informative)
When you're in a truly secure environment, it's the only way to be sure. On the other hand, I was working on a base once, and after several trips through the security checkpoint, the guards got annoyed and just slapped an "Unclassified" sticker on my laptop.
Re:Step back a bit... (Score:3, Informative)
A P38 can opener, for those of you who don't know, is quite possibly the least expensive can-opener possible. It could be accurately be described as a "hinged razor-blade."
The very least expensive can-opener possible is a P38 without the hinge. A fancy Fiskars version [myllymaki.fi], which is about 5 times more expensive than the usual non-fancy version.
Re:but there's no way to order a MacBook without (Score:3, Informative)
Just re-read the grandparent post. Apple authorized technician can remove iSight, Bluetooth, etc as needed so you can order your favorite Mac and make it security-compliant.
Just disable the camera... epoxy (Score:3, Informative)
A camera is something that can take photos, not something with some parts that could have made a camera. So:
a) pierce the lens if you really want to be crazy, screwing up some nice camera innards. This is relatively risky.
b) Sand the lens and surrounding area a bit.
c) Get some good 2 part epoxy and apply over the camera.
Voila, you no longer have a camera.
Obviously they won't warranty YOUR CAMERA, but you don't have to open it up. If you skip step a, you're not even 'breaking' anything... but if b/c is right you won't ever be able to use that camera again, because you'll have to break apart the body of the laptop along with the lens to.
I work in the Court system (Score:4, Informative)
Each court is different. You have to know your court.
First, if you are an attorney, or go to court regularly as a non-court employee (attorney's assistant, expert witness, etc), then you should have at least one non-camera phone. If you can, try getting a phone you can just pop a SIM chip into and out of easily. (Dunno how well that works in the US -- my US carrier was always Verizon, no SIMs.) Or just go Blackberry (that's what I have, and for that reason).
Second, if you have a reason for needing your laptop this should not be a problem. The prohibition against camera's is not a universal and absolute prohibition.
If you're an attorney, speak with the judge for your case. Using a Macbook/MBP as part of your trial is fine. Explain to him your situation, explain to him any added measures you will take to cover the camera (such as tape), and he will let you take it through. (If he does not, well, you're an attorney -- I shouldn't have to tell you how to fix it.)
If you're not an attorney, but are working for/helping one, then speak with the attorney who is your main contact. Explain the situation and offer multiple ways in which the court may be appeased (such as tape over the camera).
If the judge knows who has the cameras and something then gets out, there will be no problem. The full wrath of the court can be directed at you for breaching the court's trust.
If you truly think you NEED the laptop while in court for something other than the case, why? Either you work there, and then you simply need to ask your supervisor/employer for permission, or you don't and there's no reason for you to be chilling in the courthouse browsing the internets and Twittering with Ashton. (And if you're media -- seriously? No excuse for that, either.)
As for other non-judicial sensitive areas, you're on your own. If I ran a security team at a secure business location, I'd likely not even allow in mobiles to begin with. Regardless, your rights are much more limited in private situations.
Of course, you could always use the advice of some Slashdotters here. First, since Windows is a pain, either get an Apple service center to remove the camera (or get a Linux machine with no camera). Second, go Windows with no camera.
Oh, and as for the Dell Mini 9 -- if you are truly an Apple guy, and you get one of these, you better Hackintosh it. I did mine, and it's fantastic.
Good luck, and have fun.
- Pacer
Re:Step back a bit... (Score:3, Informative)
The a third party "repair" sites that specialize in removing cameras from phones, such as the iPhone. (Your warranty is removed along with the camera).
These guys do a pretty good business around military bases where high value assets are located, such as most Navy Bases and some Air Force bases. You often can not have a cell phone with a camera on such bases, (especially if you are a civilian employee/contractor).
Let an Apple tech physically disable the camera (Score:5, Informative)
FYI: A similar action can be taken for hand held devices such as an Apple iPhone.
BTW: You can still use an external camera/microphone for services such as iChat on a MacBook where the built in devices have been removed. When permitted, plugging in an external camera/microphone will temporarily restore such capability. Moreover, by physically removing such external devices when they are not in use, you can better control them. :-)
So buy your MacBook, have a Apple Certified technician remove the offending components, and if needed get a letter of volatility. Q.E.D.
Re:Step back a bit... (Score:3, Informative)
It wasn't Google, it was Microsoft.
It wasn't a satellite, it was an Airplane.
It wasn't secret info any more, and hadn't been for several years.
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCC&cp=ryqjpf4s57kc&style=b&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&scene=10352732&encType=1 [live.com]