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    Adding a webcam to T61 by myself - how much effort required?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by frsg, May 14, 2009.

  1. frsg

    frsg Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hello everyone,

    I've got 14" T61 (7664-16U), which, unfortunately, does not have a webcamera included.

    How difficult would it be to add a webcamera to it and is it justified financially? I really dont know where to start, but I assume I'll certainly need another screen bezel and a webcam itself. Where would it have to be attached to? Are there any caveeats? How difficult is it to swap a screen bezel?

    Anyone done this kind of modification to their T60/T61? Any help would be appreciated.
     
  2. Renee

    Renee Notebook Virtuoso

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    You must be the decider on whether it's justified finacially.
     
  3. frsg

    frsg Notebook Enthusiast

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    That would depend on a price of webcam and bezel, I've no idea where to look these up - tried to find them on lenovo.com but no luck. :-(
     
  4. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Why don't you just get a Logitech webcam or something similar? It will definitely cost less and be no problem. I doubt you will be able to easily swap bezels. You can contact Lenovo, but they might not sell such specific parts.
     
  5. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    I don't really have an opinion as to whether it can be done. If your machine is still under warranty and you do this, it will no longer be. Could sell what you got now and get something with a webcam. The Z61t is in my opinion better than the T61, though they're harder to find.
     
  6. frsg

    frsg Notebook Enthusiast

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    Okay, I had some help and did a bit of searching and this is what I came up with:

    Camera: http://www.acsfactoryoutlet.com/42T3106-ThinkPad.html , 55$
    Bezel: http://www.acsfactoryoutlet.com/42X5059-ThinkPad.html , 55$
    Monitor cable (it seems they differ for screens with and without cameras): http://www.acsoutlet.com/93P4376-ThinkPad.aspx , 45$.

    So far doesn't look too prohibitive. I'm not sure how good this site's pricing is, but 150$ and a bit of effort is less expensive than getting a new model altogether.

    Time to fish around the used part market, I guess.