Computing Conundrum

[carolminniemouse]

Does the HP LP 2475w computer have a built-in camera and microphone. I've been told it should have but am a novice user. Device Manager does not help. Really appreciate input, I'm trying hard not to sound like a dinosaur.

[Buenchico]

Are you sure that you've provided the correct model number? 'HP LP2475w' appears to refer to a widescreen monitor and not to any type of computer.

Almost all laptops come with a camera and microphone built in. I've never encountered any desktop computer with them though. (Indeed it's hard to see where a built-in camera could be positioned on a desktop, as many people put their desktop PCs under their desks).

[carolminniemouse]

Ah Buenchico, yes you are quite right and I have shown just what a dinosaur I am. It's the monitor that's a HP LP 2475w of course, I think of the screen as the computer - but duh! Any ideas on the camera and microphone (is it relevant that it's over 10 years old?).

[Buenchico]

If your computer is attached to a separate monitor (rather than having one built into it) I assume that it's a desktop model and not a laptop.

As I wrote above, I've never encountered a desktop PC with a camera or microphone built into it. (Laptops usually have cameras built into their lids, facing the user, so that they can be used for video calls on Skype, etc. It's hard to see where a camera could be positioned on a desktop in a way that would be useful to the user).

So if (as seems likely, given that you're using a standalone monitor) you've got a desktop PC, then it WON'T have a camera or microphone built into it. If you've actually got a laptop though, then it almost certainly WILL have a camera and microphone built in.

It's easy enough to add a camera to a desktop PC though. Webcams come in a vast range of qualities and prices, from little more than a few quid up to hundreds of pounds. For an occasional user (who only needs a camera for Skype, etc) many review sites recommend the Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000 for around twenty quid:
https://www.johnlewis.com/microsoft-lifecam-hd-3000-hd-webcam/p231297443
(It includes its own microphone and it simply plugs into a USB port)