Help finding cheap webcams for Lubuntu 20.04 Lenovo T60 (to Zoom)

[edy]

Hi folks,

I recently saved a Lenovo T60 Thinkpad (2007VEN) from being recycled by a colleague who was about to dump it! It has 2GB RAM, 100GB HDD, Intel Core 2 T7200 @ 2Ghz, 1024x768 display with DVD and extended 9-cell  battery pack.   The only problem is that it has NO built-in mic or webcam option like the newer laptops. The main purpose is to have a Zoom option for the kids who are now doing remote-learning during the pandemic.

So to my main question....  I'm looking for a bare-bones cheap webcam/mic option that I can plug in so that the kids can do Zoom. As the other laptops I have use built-in webcam/mics I've never had to worry about configuration issues, most of the time Ubuntu/Lubuntu detects built-in hardware and it works fine. However, buying an external USB webcam I have seen a number of really cheap ($5-10) options on YouTube. I don't know if they are necessarily compatible with Ubuntu and want to make sure they have a decent microphone pointing in the right direction (some have a mic on the back of the camera!).     I don't mind paying $15-20, and I've seen the cheapest Logitech in the $35 range but I'd rather go lower end if anyone has a good experience with the cheap options on eBay/Amazon.

Some cameras are only USB so I assume they are encoding both the video and audio on to the USB, or just video? Others will have a USB for the video and a 1/8" audio output that I would plug into the microphone jack on the side of the laptop. Ideally the camera should be able to "clip" or somehow stick on top of the laptop screen somehow without wiggling around too much or falling off!

Filtering through options on Amazon and eBay I saw many options but I would like to know if someone else has a recommendation for a camera that worked out of the box with minimal fuss, has a decent quality camera and microphone. I don't need anything too fancy or high resolution but it should be at least clear and refresh rate decent. Again, we are talking about a 2007-era laptop and using Zoom for the kids so I'm not expecting much, just good enough for them to use.

Thanks for any advice from any of you who have experience already with external webcam/mic options on Lubuntu!

[NiHaoMike]

Not sure how easy they are to get nowadays but PS3 Eye was available for really cheap at one point.

[edy]

Not sure how easy they are to get nowadays but PS3 Eye was available for really cheap at one point.

Thanks, there are a few options on eBay (some used, some sealed in box) for $20-30 USD once shipping is included. However, without knowing whether this works on Lubuntu or basic Debian-based Linux distro, I'm not sure I want to take the risk ordering one.

For that money it may be safer to go for a $35 brand-new Logitech that at least I know I can return to the store if it doesn't work:

https://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=1567_45&item_id=052296

I was hoping more along the $10-20 range like these:

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/384036668565?hash=item596a5e8495:g:znsAAOSwvCpgUrl6

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/383685948663?hash=item595576f4f7:g:ZTkAAOSwn4hfP38U

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/174409772206?hash=item289ba1ecae:g:m7AAAOSw5S5fHpeT

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/174725786161?hash=item28ae77ea31:g:nHkAAOSwbetgcByd

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/324414101422?hash=item4b889657ae:g:wAQAAOSw-mJf0-aH

[edy]

Quick update... tried some friend's Logitech webcams and they worked out of the box, audio and video detected no problem over single USB port. Also tried an SJCAM (cheap GoPro clone) which has the option as acting as a "PC Webcam" when plugged in via USB, and it also detected video but no audio. I did not have any luck on the ChromeBook yet, so I'm thinking I will need a camera that specifies "Android compatible".

I also noticed on the older computer that the framerate was pretty bad... these cameras are all at least 720p, some 1080p. I have a feeling I will be better off with a cheap 480p camera still. I may just bite the bullet and order something for $10-15 off Amazon and hope for the best, perhaps one that claims Android and Linux compatibility, although I don't trust the description as it says one thing at the top of the page, and another at the bottom... HD 480p? I think the specs are probably all lies:

https://www.amazon.com/Computer-Microphone-Desktop-Monitor-Support/dp/B088ZNGFWH/