<p>Most importantly, I want to use a webcam to videochat with my family and girlfriend while I’m in college.</p>
<p>On the side, it would be nice if it was good enough to take legible captures of the professor’s notes on the board.</p>
<p>I want the webcam to be small enough to not be obtrusive while attached to a laptop. I’m hoping to be able to take instant captures of the whiteboard while typing up notes.</p>
<p>Am I asking for too much from today’s webcam? What’s out there?</p>
<p>can i get away with a >$100 CCD+USB webcam or would only a $200+ CCD+rj-45 do the job?</p>
<p>It seems to me that logitech is always a popular choice. First, webcams don’t usually get in the way unless you have a very old one or something and the new ones now second as a digital camera. I can’t telly you wish one functions best at both jobs, but if you happen to pick up one that’s a crappy digi cam, prop the cam on top of your books or something and take the picture from there for the clearest shot.</p>
<p>// please excuse the numerous typos. I’m too tired to correct them, either. :P</p>
<p>i would get an inexpensive (probably used) webcam AND digicam. pawn shops are good as well as ebay.</p>
<p>this way you dont have to bring your laptop to all your classes to take pictures. and a cheap digital camera will give you similar image to or probably better images than an expensive webcam.</p>
<p>if you can spend a little more money, look for a digital camera with some optical zoom</p>