Have just purchased a new MacBook Air (2020 model). Have bought to use for home working (Zoom meetings, etc) and the image is really grainy when using Zoom or FaceTime. Is this normal with Macs?
MacBook Air 13", macOS 10.15
Basically what it means is that they are very very aware of this issue.
Their process is to classify issues as either expected or unexpected. If it's expected it means it's "our fault" for not knowing the camera image quality is impacted by poor design not allowing for enough light to enter the lens. That they have no recourse to fix it. It is hardware and it's a design flaw. It actually has nothing to do with the camera quality. Not something they are currently able to fix. I said its false advertising and they said prove it. That's why your camera quality is better on older models. More light coming into the camera. Its beyond stupid they let this happen. haha Someone got fired for sure I imagine.
I have a Macbook pro 2019 I just purchased in Dec for 5500.
Its way better in natural light.
Who the **** has access to natural light in their office lol. I am lucky to have some and can see the clear difference, but at night it is unusable.
When I bought my computer for the Macbook pro this was still not classified expected behaviour. It became expected as I was negotiating with them.
This is why they sent me free accessories.
Now, they have changed the classification to "expected." This means you have no recourse whatsoever with Apple other than complain and hope they offer something in the future who those who did.
All you can do is return it and buy something else or wait for their next release otherwise.
Yes, you and all of these other people have fallen through the cracks. (As of Feb 25.) If "Apple cares" they would immediately fix this issue. They just pretend too like the others. Not a special company lol.
Disappointed with apple silicon MacBook Pro (2020) camera. With upgrades it was nearly $2000. The camera is way WORSE than my previous MacBook pro (2012). Very grainy, I've never had this problem before. Also sometimes the person on the other side has said they can't even see me at all, they get a black screen. Did Apple use a cheaper camera to help pay down the cost of apple silicon? I don't want to answer FaceTime calls on my MacBook now.
Just purchased my 2020 MacBook Air to use for zoom teaching. How did I miss this issue? Wow. The picture is so bad that my students asked me what is wrong at my home. Image grainy and dark. I was using my 2011 iMac until now for zoom; picture there 100% clear and never an issue. I suppose that is why I overlooked the camera; I wrongly assumed it would be an upgrade from my 2011. I will be crossing fingers to return this —I have surpassed the 30-day return—for something with an acceptable camera. Anyone know if the pro version has a camera worth recommending?
The worse investment I've made is this MBA 2020, which I got a couple of weeks ago. The quality of the webcam is pathetic. What do we have to do to ensure Apple acknowledges & owns up to their mistake? Their Tech Support & Repair isn't helping. Kindly advise.
As one more frustrated/disappointed owner of a 2020 MacBooks Air (who spent an hour in the phone without Apple Support with them claiming to troubleshoot an issue that clearly isn’t fixable), I’m wondering how I can go about getting a free webcam like you suggested? Also, do we think apple might issue a recall? The camera really is terrible— like as bad as a flip phone from 2003. Thank you for any guidance on how to semi-ameliorate this waste-of-money purchase!
Yeah, the Apple support person I talked to was similar. They made me troubleshoot all sorts of things that didn’t help. I didn’t realize how bad t was until after the return window, so I’m screwed. I’m just hoping enough people will get on their case about this that there’s a recall. But probably wishful thinking.
It is appalling that Apple did not care about an important component in today's world. Since this MBA has good quality, Apple knows it can sell. So, it does not care. I plan to return this and get a Mac mini for $650 in Costco.
Yes. They take you through this process and a number of others when you contact them. Nothing works. The camera is duff and Apple clearly does not care. Very odd for a company that relies on its reputation so much. They are clearly taking their customers for granted.
Wow! reading all these comments and realizing it's not just my computer.
This is TOTALLY unacceptable that the camera isn't working on such a high-priced new machine.
Happy to get together and collaborate to ensure apple takes care of this and honors their customer base.
Please everyone demand that apple remedy this issue or... class action?
Frankly, I don't know what action to take. I have spoken with Apple support several times, with the Apple retailer/dealer and was on various Mac forums for advice.
The answer is always the same: you can't improve the camera, you can only buy an external camera, you have to buy a completely new Mac with a different camera, you shouldn't be so obsessed with brilliant pictures etc.
So what can you do? I bought a MacBook Air two weeks ago for almost 1400 euros and I'm also puzzled by some of the answers from Apple.
Dylan, thank you for that info. Unfortunately, I'm in the US. Not sure if those laws apply here. So for the additional court fee money, I guess I'll just try to buy a webcam from Amazon or one of the office supply stores.
For anyone who buys a webcam or spends any other money on this problem, keep your receipts and documentation. Hopefully someday Apple will be held accountable and should fix the issue, as well as reimburse any costs you incurred. (I learned this the hard way with a defective washing machine)
I just purchased a MacBook Air 2020 and it also very grainy. It's worse than my old MacBook Pro which has a CD player. I'm thinking of returning it. On Zoom, I even changed the HD settings. Nothing has helped.
Same issue here. 2020 MacBook Air i5 512GB / 8GB, I am returning it to the store this week. Not only is the camera abysmal but the fan seems to come on all the time, especially during any web conferencing such as Zoom or Google Meets. My 2015 MacBook Air performs better on all fronts. This is truly pathetic that the newest laptop is actually a downgrade to one 5 model years before it.
Unfortunately none of those simple solutions solve the problem. The camera quality is bad, period. Very disappointing that this is even a recommended answer from Apple. Are you going to do something about this shameful camera, Apple?
After I returned my first MacBook saying the camera was defective, I took a look at all the display models. They all had the same very bad camera quality. An Apple Engineer is supposed to contact me Thursday and tell me what the problem is. I had sent my Mac data to Apple. If it's software, I'll keep it. If it's hardware, I'll return my 2nd MacBook this month. It's not worth having an awful camera for the next 3-4 years.
Grainy Image on MacBook Air 2020
