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.
I could not agree more. Bought a 2020 model in October and the quality of the camera on Zoom, Google, Teams, Facetime is just atrocious. I am sorry Apple, this is just NOT acceptable, especially during the pandemic!!!! How sad you put profit over functionality.
Has anyone heard any more about this? I purchased a 2020 MacBook Air to replace my 2013 Air. Even spent the extra cash to get more memory and storage! Finally had my first zoom meeting (almost 3 weeks after receiving the laptop) and the image quality was horrible! Worse than my 2013 MacBook Air. I contacted tech support and I was simply told that I have to hope the problem "trends" so that apple will do something about it. And now that the 14 day return period has passed, I can't even get my money back. Absolutely ridiculous. It took me a while to decide to spend that much money on a new computer and I am so disappointed.
I'm in the same boat - just got the new MacBook air with the M1 chip and the camera is TRASH. Having to do zoom calls on my MacBook 2015 edition. How can you purchase a top of the line MacBook and get dealt such an awful camera? APPLE ARE YOU LISTENING??
Apple is absolutely lying if they said they have never seen this before. I had a Google meet today and I could not stop focusing on the quality of this device. I turned on every light and nothing seems to work. It’s very disappointing that I paid the amount of money, and now I have to purchase another laptop. I am unable to utilize this device for any virtual sessions.
Same here. Just purchased a brand new MacBook Air 2020 in October and only just realize now that I am using ZOOM more often and FT on my computer that the quality of the camera is horrible. Everyone is commenting and surprised by Apple. I have a 2009 MacBook Pro and the quality is better...this is unacceptable for a computer that cost me over $2000 since I upgraded to 1TB. Is it the same for the MacBook Pro? If not I will raise **** that they exchange my computer for an upgrade. Something needs to be done. A cheap PC has better quality computer, but I am such a die hard Apple fan. Major disappointment.
This is so sad, I have a late 2014 model as well and the camera is of wayyyyy better quality!!!! I have called a million times and everytime they say, they've never heard of an issue, but yet this forum is literally full of complaints. You're so right, this laptop is so worthless.
Hmmm I am usually not one to fight about issues but I am so disappointed. I am a dedicated Apple user (iPad, iPhones, computers) and expect the quality service and products I always had over the past 15 years.
I encourage everyone who has a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air and is experiencing a grainy image from their camera to comment here.
[Edited by Moderator]
I totally agree with you Trajan...I figure they are just not acknowledging this. So what does this mean for those who recently bought Apple laptops...we just fall through the cracks? I still have my laptop MacBook Pro from 2009 which my kids are using. How come the camera is actually clearer.
I tend to use my new MacBook Air for several years to come. Do I have to deal with a grainy image for several years?
When did you escalate this to Apple? You mentioned you got some free accessories. Would that be an external webcam? I just want some reconciliation...ideally a credit; external webcam, etc.
They may fix the problem on the next model, but we now purchased this model. They can lose customers based on this issue alone. In any case you are right, we are dealing with giant enterprise that will involve lots of time and energy. I'll see what I can get form them at the Genius Bar next week. If anything...:(
Agree. The camera quality is terrible.
1) My internet connection is 400mbs symmetrical dedicated link
2) If I clean the screen any further I'm going to wipe the glass away.
Seriously, the camera quality is the worst I've ever experienced. My 2013 Macbook Pro had a far superior camera.
Apple, WTF?
Agreed. It seems they say it was a detail that is only now noticed because of COVID19 (more people on virtual meetings). I said that may be true but a computer at that price must have every detail count. Apple simply overlooked a major detail that they considered unimportant. If Steve Jobs was around, this would not have happened. Its just not the same company!
Hello, I have already looked for help on the forum several times and also commented several times. I also am very disappointed with the poor quality of the camera in a brand new expensive MacBook. I need a good video image for my job and unfortunately come out looking very unprofessional. And this in times of video conferencing! The answers from Apple support were very disappointing, like clean the camera, better internet connection, better light or buy an external camera. One should act united as a community, but I do not know how.
I’m the one who had mentioned started the suggestion on uniformity pages further back . Cant say the words since my last two posts have been removed when I tried to respond to ActiveLife this morning.
I just got my Mac air 2020 in large part because I needed to upgrade to do better zooms... I just tried the camera out on face time. what's the deal???? My iPhone, my old iMac all had much better cameras than this. this is SOOO disappointing and while I'm enjoying so many other features this one just put a damper on my new purchase.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CAMERA APPLE???
I'm a computer tech for a school district and bought 40 of these units boy did that blow-up in my face and since they were all ingrained Apple will not take them back. Worse apple experience ever and I go back to Mac OS 7.6.1
For Apple to have recommended above to clean the screen is ludicrous. This camera is awful. I too purchased my laptop to do zooms and vid chats. it's awful!!!! My phone is better. Poorly done apple.
Grainy Image on MacBook Air 2020
