Cheap USB camera for iBook G4

[kieran]

I really would love to pick up an iSight, but those prices are really just ridiculous.

My GF wants to get a USB camera for the iBook that I gave her.

What would be a good one, preferably around $40-50?

I've seen a few, but I'd rather take some recommendations from people on here first.

[atomicbartbeans]

http://www.xbox.com/en-us/hardware/x/xboxlivevision/

Not even kidding, the best USB camera I've yet seen. Solid framerate, better light gain than most. Instantly recognized by OS X and iChat, assuming you have 10.4 or newer. Sells for ~$35.

Oh, and a word of warning: don't fuck around with anything from Logitech. I went through three of their webcams (before I got the Xbox camera), and none of them just worked - I had to deal with the glitchy and CPU-intensive Macam drivers, coupled with the expensive iUSBcam plugin for iChat. The feed lagged and the low-light performance sucked.

[kieran]

I saw that from one of the other threads on here.

My only question is whether it comes with a notebook mount?

[curiousuburb]

Dude, there's always 3rd party mounts (http://www.ducktapesavestheday.com/). ;)

[kieran]

Believe me, duck tape is held in very high regards around my house.

I'd just rather have a better way to do it.

[psmith2.0]

http://www.valdosta.edu/~mtrejo/duck.jpeg

[curiousuburb]

Depends on the camera... some are better balanced for certain models of notebook (since bezels and lid depth vary). Most models sold 'for notebook' will come with a mount, but tape/velcro/etc can sometimes be more secure. Not sure if any would mar the polycarbonate finish. Blutack might discolour it, I suppose, but YMMV.

[atomicbartbeans]

No, the Xbox camera doesn't come with a notebook mount - right now it's just sitting on a shelf behind my iBook.

I'm sure you could rig something up with a few bits of wood and steel.

[ghoti]

Has anybody tried the Webcam for Dummies? That's not a joke, I just saw that thing at Rite Aid.

http://www.nulime.com/img/id205306/n/Webcam-Dummies-r.jpg

It costs $19.99, and there are places that sell it even cheaper. They only list PC requirements on the box (well, it's for dummies :p), but I guess it'll also work on a Mac. I'm not looking for a webcam, I don't even use my built-in iSight. Just thought I'd mention it since I just ran across it.