If you're like me and waiting endlessly for apple to release an apple cinema display with an iSight, then here's a cheap option.

Enter left: The Xbox 360 webcam



A little background information for you:
When I purchased my Mac Pro I was too much of a tightass/didn't want to wait too long for my Mac Pro to be delivered, so I went for the option without Airport/Bluetooth. However when I moved house, I was forced to switch to wireless to avoid a long blue cable running through my hallway (I rent so wall installation isn't an option).
After searching for endless 3rd party airport options for my Mac Pro I came across a dlink GWL-122 card which claimed to be mac supported. However after endless mornings of waking up to a kernel panic, I decided to bite the bullet and order an airport card for my Mac ($160 later...). Dick Smith Electronics were happy to accept the return of my dlink wireless stick but only in exchange for store credit.
The only thing I needed/wanted from dick smith was a webcam to skype with my family & friends, so I jumped online and searched around for a mac compatible webcam, aside from dodgy logitech mac compatibility reports I came across an thread on another forum claiming that the xbox 360 camera was 100% natively compatible with mac os x since 10.4.8, so I figured I'd give it a whirl.

After simply plugging the cam into a free usb port on my mac pro I opened photobooth and alas, webcam action!

Here is the photo taken with my cam through photobooth:


and from the otherside of the room with the iMac seen pictured above:


(less quality than the isight I guess, though I'm not an expert and could be due to lighting/focus aspects or whatever)

All effects are supported in photobooth and work great!

Along with iChat AV and Skype, I'm fully functional in the webcam area.

In conclusion, if you're like me and feel a bit jealous at iMac/Macbook/MBP users with their isights yet don't feel jealous enough to fork out $200+ for one on ebay/amazon/wherever for a firewire isight, then the xbox 360 cam at $60 makes for a great option for you Mac Mini/Pro users out there without having to play around with dodgy 3rd party drivers or macam.

It doesn't have a built in microphone though?

certainly doesn't unfortunately
my idea of a computer mic is a bit ludicrous as I couldn't be bothered purchasing a proper computer mic:

Nice this is good info to know, thanks.

Those Yamaha monitors?

sure are

Yeah i found a post by disko, i think, a few months back when trying locate a webcam for my wifes powerbook. the 360 camera works flawlessly

What happens if you have the Xbox 360 camera connected to a mac with an already built in one. How does PhotoBooth handle this?

not sure, I guess it will choose the isight

I use this camera on my dell 30". Seems good at first, but the driver crashes or something, leaving me to have to unplug it and plug it back in again to get it to work. A minor hassle - it doesn't drop out during use or anything, only when it's idle.

It's got auto-focus, light adjustment, inbuilt mic, looooong USB cable, stand/clip.

Hehe, like me:

Love your mike setup. I need something similar for my podcasts.

Paul

I use a PlayStation 2 EyeToy with my Mac for Photo Booth. Just have to install the Macam QT component.

I loved the original iSight camera and it's a shame Apple dropped it. Was the best webcam anyone can find. I don't remember it having any sort of mic though so this XBox cam is almost like a one for one replacement.

The simple instruction for buying a Logitech webcam is that it must say on the box "certified for windows vista" which means it conforms to the UVC standard.

Please note that this is a very specific sticker or logo on the box - if it doesn't have it, don't buy it! It must say "Certified" not just "works with windows vista"

Some models have changed late last year to conform to the UVC standard even though the model name hasn't changed - the Quickcam Pro 9000 is an example of this.

My advice is to avoid older stock - buy something that has the certified sticker and was shipped to the store in 2008.

Hope this helps.

PS. The original Apple iSight rocks - good picture and microphone built in.

PPS. I use the bluetooth headset that I use with my mobile phone when i video conference. Approx. $50 is well worth it for the convenience of no wires.