I'm looking to buy a webcam for my IBM T42 laptop, does anyone have one or know of one that would work well that comes with a microphone for live chat and taking pictures?
Most webcams plug into the USB port and is plug in play. It doesn't matter about your model number laptop or even if its a regular desktop computer. Only thing that matters is if you have a USB port on your computer. If you dont, then they may sell models that work on a PCMIA slot (but I've never seen one). They are plug in play so your Windows Operating system will recognize it. Worst case scenerio, you might have to install an included CD with your webcam. Just look shop around for something in your budget with descent amounts of pixels. Alot of them have a built in microphone and I would recommend getting one of those so you can not only transmit video, but audio on the same USB connection.
Usually the ones from Logitech are a great value and most have microphones. http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/webcam_communications/webcams/&cl=us,en for descriptions. Most stores sell them, even Walmart.