Mac Compatible Skype Webcams

Skype has run it's own online store for video and voice conferencing for quite some time. Problem was few if any of the webcams they listed were Mac compatible. Recently they updated their online VOIP hardware department with a better selection of Apple friendly web cameras and headsets.

The FREETALK Everyman HD Webcam is a 720p capable high-definition cam that can fit the bill for those of you with, say, an Apple Mac mini or Macintosh Pro tower that doesn't come with a built-in iSight web cam like the iMacs and MacBook models do. Unfortunately, this cam doesn't include a built-in microphone - so you'll want an external mic or headset to go with it.

Plug and Play USB 2.0 port is all you need  for webcam chat for Skype on the Mac. You might also be interested to know Skype v5 went from beta to official release, so check out the latest version at the Skype For Mac download section of their website. A redesigned interface tries to simplify things. Personally, I'm sticking with the previous version for the time being.

Alternative iSight - HD Webcam For Mac

Especially for  those needing an Apple Macintosh Pro tower or Mac mini webcam - and loved the original Apple iSight's silver cylindrical styling - this PC and Apple compatible USB webcam for Mac from Liquid Digital looks the part with it's 2MP HD sensor and built-in microphone.


Click to learn more: AGENT V5 Full HD Webcam

FaceTime Webcam Conferencing For Mac and iPhone

Apple's released a BETA version of its iPhone compatible video chat program you can download from Apple.com - it requires OSX 10.6.4 or later and a MacBook with a built-in iSight or external USB Mac compatible webcam for Mac to Mac, iPhone to Mac or Mac to iPhone video conference. Expect this to move from beta to full release in OSX Lion in 2011

Creative Labs Webcam For Mac

Creative Labs has had a few Mac compatible webcams in their product line over the past few years - but never marketed them as such. Now they're actually branding and packaging their latest line of cameras with notations of OSX 10.5+ compatibility on the box. So far Live! Cam HD Webcam is performing well in my tests. Good auto white balance adapts well in decent lighting conditions.
For being a 'HD' webcam, its sensor is not ultra-high resolution. In a way that's a good thing cuz at least when capturing above 640x480 VGA it still delivers decent frame rates. (Something that cannot be said of 3MP, 5MP and beyond webcams that perform poorly on anything less than an Intel dual-core 3GHZ processor.) Tho the image isn't razor-sharp like Logitech's high-end models, it's a decent midrange camera.

Mac Mini and Mac Pro Compatible Webcams

With Apple including a built-in iSight web camera in all it's MacBook laptops and iMac desktop computer models - the Mac mini and Mac Pro still lack out-of-the-box webcam video chat capability.

A Mac compatible webcam can not only enable video conferencing and capture abilities, but most webcams these days also include a built-in microphone which neither the Mac mini or Mac Pro have. Adding a web cam to either is a great way to kill two birds with one stone.

A cheap Mac friendly USB 2.0 webcam option? This basic Logitech webcam offers plug and play ease at a bargain price:

Best Cheap Mac Webcam

Cheap Webcam For Mac1.3 MP UVC

Of all the low-end, $30 or less UVC webcams, this Hewlett-Packard model stands out with good color-balance, light sensitivity and a nice sounding microphone. All told - one of the best webcams for OSX for those on a budget. Although the little snapshot buttons atop the HP cam aren't supported on the Mac, frankly they aren't really needed.

Ipevo Introduces 2nd Generation P2V Webcam for Mac or PC

A follow-up to it's original PoV - Point of View pen-shaped web camera -- Ipevo has released a new revision that's now UVC compatible: The IPEVO Point 2 View USB Camera.

This update brings cross-platform Mac compatibility as well as a higher-resolution 2MP (megapixel) sensor for even greater image clarity. A unique webcam - The P2V featured Auto-Focus with manual override ability allows tight macro close-ups few other web cams can achieve: as close as 2".