Nearly all laptops these days have a webcam, either at the bottom or top of the screen bezel. Typically, this is not a good thing, as the available space limits the size of the camera. However, Lenovo's latest ThinkBook 13X and 16P notebooks have new 4K webcams that are (a) very large and (b) fully modular. If high-resolution facial images are not needed, the webcam can be replaced with another device. What about aromatherapy scent emitters?

Lenovo calls the device Magic Bay, which attaches to the top of the aforementioned laptop via a combination of magnets and spring-loaded connectors (aka pogo pins). announced at CES 2024 (via PCWorld), only the webcam is available for now, but the company is currently considering a variety of modules for the market.

The webcam, named Magic Bay Studio, is a beast: 4K HDR output, 90-degree field of view, 4x optical zoom, and two 2W speakers. Cameras of this kind are usually connected via a high-speed USB cable, but Lenovo's system does away with that altogether, using the laptop's pins for power and signal transmission.

Sure, it looks a bit ridiculous installed on top of a laptop screen, but at least it can be removed. Not only for portability, but also to replace it with another Magic Bay accessory.

At CES, Lenovo demonstrated a variety of devices it is currently researching, including omnidirectional microphones, SD card readers, small LCD screens, personal cooling fans, and even one that can spray scents into the air.

Not all of these will make it to market, or at least not directly from Lenovo. Lenovo may consider licensing the technology so that other companies can develop third-party accessories.

Personally, I'm all for this idea. Personally, I quite like the idea. Not because of the ridiculous accessories, but because it would allow a decent webcam to be easily attached to and detached from a laptop. I also think a small projector would be worth developing, and would make setting up presentations while traveling much easier. The simple fact that the need for cables has been eliminated is a great idea.

At this point you are probably thinking that this is going to be very expensive. Well, it is, but not quite; the Magic Bay Studio retails for $199, which is expensive for a webcam, but cheaper than Levono's Brio 4K Ultra (which connects to your PC with a USB cable).

Of course, devices with similar features can be had for less than this, and the popular Dell UltraSharp webcam in our office often sells for under $170. And while the Magic Bay system is not overtly expensive, you will need to purchase a ThinkBook 13X or 16P laptop to use it. [The former has a Meteor-Lake Core Ultra processor, while the latter has a 14th generation Core CPU and RTX 4050 or 4060 GPU.

But let's forget about that. If Lenovo had included a removable webcam, it would hardly be news, but the hot-swappable emoji screen and perfume pump are genius. Well done, Lenovo.

_____________________________________ PC Gamer's CES 2024 coverage is courtesy of Asus Republic of Gamers.