I bought a laptop specifically so I had less objects and wires to carry around.

But you do carry your phone with you right? You can use that as a webcam/mic.

That would be yet another gadget (with yet another tangly wire) to add to your bag. One of the best things (and one of the worst things, if you're interested in repairability and upgradability) of a laptop is that everything (other than the external power adapter) is built-in.