This just means that if these laptops are going to have Windows 11, they need to have a camera. It's not that the OS will not work without it. It's just MS saying, "You need a camera on your laptop." It's no different than all Macbooks having a camera, except Microsoft is dictating the OEM market needs to adhere to that standard.
You’re exactly right in your statement. But of all the experiences they could control, the most important is a webcam?
That webcam is placed on an OS known for intrusive advertising and data collection, with OEMs known for pushing pre-installed software that’s invasive, if not full-blown malware.
You’re exactly right about the facts. The problem is the perception of the theme here.
I own 7 laptops, and with the exception of a ~1995 ThinkPad, they all have webcams builtin.
None of these will ever run Windows 11 (or any other version), but of all the things I have heard so far about Windows 11, this is relatively low on my outrage list. (Okay, strictly speaking, the ancient ThinkPad runs Windows 95, but I don't actually use it, I just keep it because I like old hardware.)
This looks like part of their push to passwordless. Decent camera plus TPM means that FaceID style unphishable FIDO2 credentials can become default moving forward.
> This misreads the room so badly on where people are at in 2021 when it comes to the idea of tech companies and consumer privacy.
(Some) Tech people, politicians, and politicos, sure.
The average person still uses Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp, Twitter, Google services, and/or believes Apple's marketing on respecting user privacy.
Also, this is 2 years out. Either there will be major changes between now and then which will result in a change to this decision, or there wont. I wouldn't put my money on the former.
Thank you, Microsoft! Thousands, potentially millions, of users will be motivated to migrate to other OSes, also thanks to Windows 11 insane hardware requirements they will find tons of essentially free hardware that will run their new OS with no issues.
Sometimes I laugh at arguments like this, sometimes I get pissed of. You are seriously disconnected from reality if you think this will change anything except all laptops having a front webcam. I haven't seen one without it ever anyways
What laptop doesn't have a front webcam especially one that is at least 720p (I assume that is what is considered hd)? You can buy a $150 laptop and it likely would work.
This won’t do anything in the realm of millions of users. I’m not even sure what the lazy part is trying to say. What OS are these supposed people moving to? It’s not Linux. It’s likely not Mac as moving to that will be for other reasons, not this...especially when every MacBook and iMac has a front facing camera.
On top of that, the new Windows 11 OEM laptops will probably come with Windows 11 Home pre-installed and requires a Microsoft Account, which not only I warned against two years ago [0], but is an instant no deal.
Comes to no surprise as to how Microsoft really wants to collect everything about you. Even if it you get a laptop with a Pro version installed, they will still make it harder for you to avoid a Microsoft account.
Hahaha nope nope nope. I gave up at windows 7. Windows 8 sucked and Windows 10 was a spyware OS. Now they are not even hiding it!!! Beware of consumer software, operating systems and hardware. By Jove, it’s like someone warned us about this 30+ years ago.
So much speculation in this thread but I haven't heard anyone ask why Microsoft is requiring this. The article as well as the linked Microsoft specification document does not say. I'm very curious as to why.
[+] [-] MeinBlutIstBlau|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] aejnsn|4 years ago|reply
That webcam is placed on an OS known for intrusive advertising and data collection, with OEMs known for pushing pre-installed software that’s invasive, if not full-blown malware.
You’re exactly right about the facts. The problem is the perception of the theme here.
[+] [-] krylon|4 years ago|reply
None of these will ever run Windows 11 (or any other version), but of all the things I have heard so far about Windows 11, this is relatively low on my outrage list. (Okay, strictly speaking, the ancient ThinkPad runs Windows 95, but I don't actually use it, I just keep it because I like old hardware.)
[+] [-] s1artibartfast|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] anotherman554|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] mhoad|4 years ago|reply
This misreads the room so badly on where people are at in 2021 when it comes to the idea of tech companies and consumer privacy.
[+] [-] winthrowe|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] oarsinsync|4 years ago|reply
(Some) Tech people, politicians, and politicos, sure.
The average person still uses Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp, Twitter, Google services, and/or believes Apple's marketing on respecting user privacy.
Also, this is 2 years out. Either there will be major changes between now and then which will result in a change to this decision, or there wont. I wouldn't put my money on the former.
[+] [-] endemic|4 years ago|reply
> For those concerned with privacy, this means a trip to the office supply store to grab more tape with which to cover up the pesky little lenses.
[+] [-] squarefoot|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] kungito|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] _-david-_|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] skinnymuch|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] rvz|4 years ago|reply
On top of that, the new Windows 11 OEM laptops will probably come with Windows 11 Home pre-installed and requires a Microsoft Account, which not only I warned against two years ago [0], but is an instant no deal.
Comes to no surprise as to how Microsoft really wants to collect everything about you. Even if it you get a laptop with a Pro version installed, they will still make it harder for you to avoid a Microsoft account.
[0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=21137699
[+] [-] randomhodler84|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] president|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] rolph|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] lp0_on_fire|4 years ago|reply