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Which models have a sliding webcam cover?

Currently only one.

A sliding webcam cover is currently only available in one model in our portfolio:

The fact that webcam covers are missing in most other models is due to the mostly quite thin display frames in the upper screen area.

Security through hard-wired status LED

All current XMG and SCHENKER laptop models have a status LED right next to the webcam. As soon as the webcam is being used by software, driver or the operating system, the status LED lights up in a bright colour. This means that you can always check with a single glance if the webcam is active of if it is not.

This status LED is a hardware feature that operates independently of software and operating system. The activation of the status LED is hard-wired into the board layout: as soon as the webcam is supplied with power, the LED automatically lights up as well.

Because of this hard wiring, this security feature can not be circumvented by malicious actors (Trojans, computer viruses, etc.). Therefore, as a user, you can safely assume: if no LED is lit, then the webcam is not active.

Note: the status LED switches off immediately with the end of a webcam activity. So if the webcam is used to take a photographic snapshot (a single picture instead of a whole video), the status LED would also light up only very briefly.

Alternative: adhesive webcam covers

Instead of the usual sticker on the webcam, you can also apply a sliding webcam cover over the webcam. To do this, you should use a ruler to measure exactly how wide the screen frame is above the display and take these measurements into account when buying a webcam cover.

You can find suitable models with this search on Amazon.

With adhesive, sliding webcam covers, depending on the model, it can happen that the contact surface between the display lid and the palm rest is concentrated on the area of the webcam cover when the laptop is closed. This could lead to premature, localized wear or abrasion or, in extreme cases, to slight bending if excessive pressure is applied (e.g. if other laptops or books are stacked on top of the closed laptop). To avoid this effect, choose a webcam cover that is as thin as possible and be careful when closing and storing the laptop.