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The best PCs for privacy-minded people

With growing concern over privacy, these devices have new features to ease your security anxieties.

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Xiomara Blanco
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1 of 22 Josh Miller/CNET

Protect your privacy when you can

After high-profile hacks and a widespread chip flaw that makes data vulnerable to hackers, taking bigger steps to protect your privacy is no longer reserved for the paranoid. The fear of being hacked or spied on is real. (Even Mark Zuckerberg covers his webcam.)

Taking greater control over the information you share isn't reserved for software updates and strong password selection, either. Hardware can help you stay safe, too.

Fingerprint readers and cameras with facial recognition have been widely embraced by both laptops and smartphones, however computers are taking things a few steps further into the future.

Click through the slideshow for a growing list of devices that have unique security features you won't find elsewhere.

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2 of 22 Josh Miller/CNET

Huawei Matebook X Pro

While foolproof methods of covering your webcam with a piece of tape or band-aid remain popular, some manufacturers, like Huawei, are taking the initiative to build devices with features that eliminate the need. 

Can you spot the camera on the Huawei Matebook X Pro?

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3 of 22 Josh Miller/CNET

Huawei Matebook X Pro

If you couldn't find it, don't feel bad. It's stealthily hidden as a spring loaded pop-up button located on the top row of the keyboard. The camera makes space for extra-thin bezels, but captures you at a low angle, which I'm not a big fan of, personally.

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4 of 22 Josh Miller/CNET

Huawei Matebook X Pro

The laptop also features the same chip-based fingerprint reader on the power button as some Huawei phones. This means your fingerprint is saved on the device, not the cloud.

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5 of 22 Sarah Tew/CNET

MacBook Pro with Touchbar

The MacBook Pro with Touch Bar has a TouchID fingerprint reader that operates off Apple's separate T1 chip, which isolates identity verification in a secure enclave.

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6 of 22 Sarah Tew/CNET

Dell XPS 13 (2018)

The Dell XPS 13 is another notebook with a sly security feature.

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7 of 22 Sarah Tew/CNET

Dell XPS 13 (2018)

Similar to the Huawei Matebook X Pro, it has a low-angle webcam that looks directly up your nose, but that's not its impressive security feature. Just a warning.

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8 of 22 Sarah Tew/CNET

Dell XPS 13 (2018)

The laptop has a hidden Windows Hello fingerprint reader under the power button.

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9 of 22 Sarah Tew/CNET

HP Curved Envy AIO 34

The HP Curved Envy AIO 34 is an ultra-wide all-in-one PC with a hidden camera.

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10 of 22 Sarah Tew/CNET

HP Curved Envy AIO 34

It pops up from the top when you want to Skype or take a selfie.

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11 of 22 Sarah Tew/CNET

HP Curved Envy AIO 34

When done, simply push it back down. No snooping there!

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12 of 22 Sarah Tew/CNET

HP Curved Envy AIO 34

It's so discreet, when closed you can only notice it from above.

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13 of 22 James Martin/CNET

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga

Instead of radically redesigning anything, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga takes a simpler approach to hiding the webcam.

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14 of 22 James Martin/CNET

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga

It has a built-in camera shutter, almost like a curtain, for the webcam on the top bezel underneath the glass screen. It's similar in functionality to sliding webcam covers, but seamlessly integrated.

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15 of 22 James Martin/CNET

Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon also has the same type of shutter on its webcam. Sharing is caring!

VIDEO: 6 best high-security PCs for everyone
VIDEO: 6 best high-security PCs for everyone
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VIDEO: 6 best high-security PCs for everyone

These computers have unique security features that are worth checking out.

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HP Elitebook X360 1020 G2

The HP Elitebook x360 1020 G2 features HP's SureView technology. It works as an optional privacy filter for your screen.

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18 of 22 Sarah Tew/CNET

HP Elitebook X360 1020 G2

Activated by pressing the F2 button, the feature turns the screen white and opaque to those creeping on your screen from afar.

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19 of 22 Sarah Tew/CNET

HP Elitebook X360 1020 G2

It's not perfect, but it's more functional than constantly looking over your shoulder like a paranoid person in a horror film.

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20 of 22 Lenovo

Lenovo ThinkVision X1

The Lenovo ThinkVision X1 monitor's webcam hides and appears at the touch of a button, just like an elevator. 

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21 of 22 Lenovo

Lenovo ThinkVision X1

Open it for a web conference or Skype call, then shut it down when not in use.

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22 of 22 James Martin/CNET

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