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So what works with FaceTime?

by Mel Martin Feb 25th 2011 at 12:30PM

Apple comes to the rescue with a KnowledgeBase posting that will give you all the details on what systems are capable of using FaceTime. As you may know, FaceTime HD is a new feature of the just released MacBook Pro line, and Apple has taken FaceTime for the rest of us out of beta and made it a US $0.99 app.

While the HD feature of FaceTime is built into the just-released laptops because of an updated higher resolution camera, it doesn't mean those with older equipment are out of the game. Apple says you need Snow Leopard 10.6.6 or above to send a standard definition call. Many, but not all older Macs can view a call in HD, but Apple says it requires a minimum download bandwidth of 1 Mbps.

Check out the specifics after the break.

[via The Mac Observer]

There are the Macs that can receive an HD call:

  • MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011)
  • MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011)
  • MacBook (13-inch, Early 2008), or newer, with a 2.4 GHz or better processor
  • MacBook Pro (15-inch and 17-inch, Early 2008), or newer, with a 2.4 GHz or better processor
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2010), or newer, with a 2.53 GHz or better processor
  • iMac (20-inch and 24-inch, Early 2008), or newer, with a 2.4 GHz or better processor
  • iMac (21.5-inch and 27-inch, Late 2009), or newer, with a 3.06 GHz or better processor
  • Mac Pro (all models), with a compatible video camera Mac mini (Early 2009) or newer, with a 2.26 GHz or better processor and a compatible video camera

If you don't have the equipment on that list, it's SD both ways, and of course all these Macs can do video chats with an iPhone 4.



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26 Comments

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aleonell.10

i hoping this HD factime cam comes to the iPad.

cause they do say, this new cam is even thinner than the 1 in the iPhone 4

February 26 2011 at 11:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ade

Hmm, well I have a "MacBook Pro (15-inch and 17-inch, Early 2008)... with a 2.4 GHz... processor" and it has so far refused to connect any of my attempts to place a FaceTime call, HD or otherwise. I guess I'll just have to stick to my free Skype App, which works on my Mac as well as over 3G on my iPhone...

February 25 2011 at 7:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dan

I still think they should integrated it into iChat.

February 25 2011 at 6:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Paul

what's the difference between the beta and the mac app store versions, should I delete the beta to get the mac app store version????

February 25 2011 at 6:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Cam

No mid 2010 MBP 15"???? Are you kidding me?

February 25 2011 at 5:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Cam's comment
Jesse

Um...

MacBook Pro (15-inch and 17-inch, Early 2008), or newer, with a 2.4 GHz or better processor

All of the 2010 MBPs had processors at least 2.4 GHz, so they'd all be included in that.

February 25 2011 at 6:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
wiredzen

Before ranting about the bank-breaking $0.99, get informed. Apple has to charge something for FaceTime due to accounting rules. Rather than complaining about something so petty and making assumptions, do a little reading - the information is readily available online.

February 25 2011 at 5:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to wiredzen's comment
Jon

Please explain why Apple HAS to charge $0.99? I'd love to read more about this.

February 25 2011 at 9:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
joaojotta

Too bad it's a paid app.

February 25 2011 at 4:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Blue Melnick

Facetime is useless on the Mac or iPhone until its available on 3g.... Skype is a far better solution for video calling.... iPhone to computer, computer to computer, iphone to iphone, ipod touch to ipod touch to iphone to comptuer..... regardless of internet connection.

Guessing its carrier crippling on the 3G front, but still..... useless for now. Though on a side note, I'd pay far more than $0.99 if it was available for use with 3G.

February 25 2011 at 4:25 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Jon

Seriously Apple? Charging for FaceTime? I know it's only 99c but seriously, I know people who wouldn't even bother.

February 25 2011 at 3:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
wygit

So WTF ever happened to "making Facetime an open standard"?

June 2010:
"Apple will ship tens of millions of FaceTime devices this calendar year, so there's going to be a lot of people to talk to," Jobs said, adding, "FaceTime is based on H264 video ... and a bunch of alphabet soup acronyms. We're going to the standards bodies tomorrow and making Facetime an open standard."

Every month or so I see another article asking when they're going to release these "open standards" but as usual, there's no reply at all.

February 25 2011 at 2:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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