6 ms·

Every xps 13 review I've seen mentions this as a big minus. I haven't used it yet, so I don't know, but is it really that big a deal? Seems like its a fair trad

Every xps 13 review I've seen mentions this as a big minus. I haven't used it yet, so I don't know, but is it really that big a deal? Seems like its a fair trade off for an edge to edge screen?

humanrebar 10y ago
Are webcams that hard to configure?
- morganvachon 10y ago
  I think you misunderstood. The physical location of the webcam is so low on the device that it can only show the user from slightly underneath. This can't be fixed in software.
  - alistairSH 10y ago
    I think he meant an external webcam, which I suppose works well enough if you work at the same desk most of the time.
pgaddict 10y ago
I don't even remember when I actually used a webcam on a laptop. I'm either in a conference room with dedicated camera, or doing voice-only meetings when traveling.
- jvehent 10y ago
  Remote workers, who represent a growing population of developers, use their webcam daily to chat with colleagues.
  - e40 10y ago
    No one on my remote team uses cameras. Voice only for them. It's their choice.
  - pgaddict 10y ago
    Sure, there may be people who are used to / need to do video from the laptop. FWIW I do work remotely / from home, and I do chat with my coworkers and customers regularly, but we only do voice. If I needed to do video more often, I'd probably get a dedicated cam anyway, as it works when using external screen with laptop lid closed (which is what I do at home). But sure, that's not an option when traveling.
  - stephenr 10y ago
    some remote workers. Ive worked remotely for... 7 years now and Ive probably had no more than 10 video calls for work in that time.
    - 0xcde4c3db 10y ago
      My experience is similar; this is definitely a company/team culture thing. At my workplace, if you see someone on camera the assumption is that it's accidental and you should let them know so that they can turn it off.
    - roryisok 10y ago
      I've worked remote for 3 years and I've never done a video conference call. I go into the office once every two weeks. Not an option for everyone but I'm sure I can't be the only person who works like this
    - dzhiurgis 10y ago
      I've recently switched from project which extensively used Hangouts in meeting rooms into project that uses Lync and dinky Windows machine. Asides from being much worse experience in terms of dialing in, sharing screens, etc, not seeing faces is so much worse. Inability to see emotions is terrible for team trust. We have 200 facial muscles that carry tons of information. We should use them.
  - walterstucco 10y ago
    nope. just voice or chat. when I need video I'm probably in a meeting room with other peoplr joining a remote stand up
privong 10y ago
> but is it really that big a deal? Seems like its a fair trade off for an edge to edge screen? It was one of the major reasons I went with a Lenovo x250 when buying a new laptop ~18 months ago. I really liked the XPS13, but I do use my webcam regularly and having it so low just seemed like it would be very awkward. (The other major reason I went with the x250 is that I'm a big fan of the trackpoint).
- jvehent 10y ago
  > The other major reason I went with the x250 is that I'm a big fan of the trackpoint. The trackpoint is the only thing that keeps me on Lenovo laptops (Carbon X1, probably P50 next). I keep the touchpad disabled on my laptop.
  - dorfsmay 10y ago
    Same here, I cannot work without a TrackPoint. I'm told the Toshiba work as well as Lenovo, but seeing this market shrinking every time I shop for a laptop is saddening.
    - andromeduck 10y ago
      Ehh, I used to feel the same but once you use something nice like a Macbook for a while you'll come to realise that trackpads are better on larger work areas and multiple workspaces and you can always still use your thumb to do small hops quickly. I personally wouldn't ever consider a trackpoint again until they do something major to improve the feel/sensitivity actual sensor or allow us to directly edit the force/velocity curves directly. God damn thing is impossible to use on a 4k/5k native display.
      - dorfsmay 10y ago
        I was forced to use a Mac and hated it partly because of this. Why are you saying a trackpad is better for a large area? Don't you end up having to lift your finger, go back to the other end of the pad and drag it across again, instead of just applying constant pressure on the TrackPoint?
gkafkg8y8 10y ago
For the screen, I'd suggest checking it out in the store first and making sure it feels right. The 13" on a macbook (air/pro) feels larger imo because of bezel and the different aspect ratio (16:10 vs 16:9).
modzu 10y ago
yes, if you type while using it your hand also cover the camera. it is useless. its only there to tick the box on their marketing material

Every xps 13 review I've seen mentions this as a big minus. I haven't used it yet, so I don't know, but is it really that big a deal? Seems like its a fair trade off for an edge to edge screen?

humanrebar 10y ago

Are webcams that hard to configure?

morganvachon 10y ago
I think you misunderstood. The physical location of the webcam is so low on the device that it can only show the user from slightly underneath. This can't be fixed in software.
- alistairSH 10y ago
  I think he meant an external webcam, which I suppose works well enough if you work at the same desk most of the time.

pgaddict 10y ago

I don't even remember when I actually used a webcam on a laptop. I'm either in a conference room with dedicated camera, or doing voice-only meetings when traveling.

jvehent 10y ago
Remote workers, who represent a growing population of developers, use their webcam daily to chat with colleagues.
- e40 10y ago
  No one on my remote team uses cameras. Voice only for them. It's their choice.
- pgaddict 10y ago
  Sure, there may be people who are used to / need to do video from the laptop. FWIW I do work remotely / from home, and I do chat with my coworkers and customers regularly, but we only do voice. If I needed to do video more often, I'd probably get a dedicated cam anyway, as it works when using external screen with laptop lid closed (which is what I do at home). But sure, that's not an option when traveling.
- stephenr 10y ago
  some remote workers. Ive worked remotely for... 7 years now and Ive probably had no more than 10 video calls for work in that time.
  - 0xcde4c3db 10y ago
    My experience is similar; this is definitely a company/team culture thing. At my workplace, if you see someone on camera the assumption is that it's accidental and you should let them know so that they can turn it off.
  - roryisok 10y ago
    I've worked remote for 3 years and I've never done a video conference call. I go into the office once every two weeks. Not an option for everyone but I'm sure I can't be the only person who works like this
  - dzhiurgis 10y ago
    I've recently switched from project which extensively used Hangouts in meeting rooms into project that uses Lync and dinky Windows machine. Asides from being much worse experience in terms of dialing in, sharing screens, etc, not seeing faces is so much worse. Inability to see emotions is terrible for team trust. We have 200 facial muscles that carry tons of information. We should use them.
- walterstucco 10y ago
  nope. just voice or chat. when I need video I'm probably in a meeting room with other peoplr joining a remote stand up

privong 10y ago

> but is it really that big a deal? Seems like its a fair trade off for an edge to edge screen? It was one of the major reasons I went with a Lenovo x250 when buying a new laptop ~18 months ago. I really liked the XPS13, but I do use my webcam regularly and having it so low just seemed like it would be very awkward. (The other major reason I went with the x250 is that I'm a big fan of the trackpoint).

jvehent 10y ago
> The other major reason I went with the x250 is that I'm a big fan of the trackpoint. The trackpoint is the only thing that keeps me on Lenovo laptops (Carbon X1, probably P50 next). I keep the touchpad disabled on my laptop.
- dorfsmay 10y ago
  Same here, I cannot work without a TrackPoint. I'm told the Toshiba work as well as Lenovo, but seeing this market shrinking every time I shop for a laptop is saddening.
  - andromeduck 10y ago
    Ehh, I used to feel the same but once you use something nice like a Macbook for a while you'll come to realise that trackpads are better on larger work areas and multiple workspaces and you can always still use your thumb to do small hops quickly. I personally wouldn't ever consider a trackpoint again until they do something major to improve the feel/sensitivity actual sensor or allow us to directly edit the force/velocity curves directly. God damn thing is impossible to use on a 4k/5k native display.
    - dorfsmay 10y ago
      I was forced to use a Mac and hated it partly because of this. Why are you saying a trackpad is better for a large area? Don't you end up having to lift your finger, go back to the other end of the pad and drag it across again, instead of just applying constant pressure on the TrackPoint?

gkafkg8y8 10y ago

For the screen, I'd suggest checking it out in the store first and making sure it feels right. The 13" on a macbook (air/pro) feels larger imo because of bezel and the different aspect ratio (16:10 vs 16:9).

modzu 10y ago

yes, if you type while using it your hand also cover the camera. it is useless. its only there to tick the box on their marketing material