-No PC required, which will save on power!! (bye, ThinClient!) -"Unlimited" calling, unlike MagicJack's "Free" calling (1 hr limit on calls). -Actual 1-800 number to call for support
Comes with 3 years of calling for a total of $99.80. MagicJack is $39.95 + $6.95 s/h for 1 year of service + $19.95/year ($39.90 for 3 years). That's $86.80 cost for 3 years, but requires a PC to be on to be able to be used.
Can I get a mod involved in this thread? I swear I've never posted a thread that has so many worthless off-topic posts!! (hint to "yesidonoitall")
NOW CAN WE PLEASE STAY ON TOPIC??!?
Message edited by: FatWallet moderator on 2009-08-10 16:01:05 CDT
MJ was a gamble, but I could afford to eat $40 up front if it didn't work (it has been unreliable for me). If MJ was more stable, I'd have a cheap and reliable second landline number in addition to Vonage, which has been trouble free for me.
But here we have a $100 up front (okay, over 3 months due to payment plan) for a new VoIP provider that nobody has heard of.
I think those who have the cash to throw around need to try it out and let us average struggling from paycheck-to-paycheck people know if it works.
Message edited by: thekid72 on 2009-08-02 15:22:55 CDT
These guys have amazingly little information on how their system works and how it hooks up to your network and/or computer. I bought an Ooma system after reading in detail how it works. (The fact that it handles its own QoS was a key selling point.) Plus, if I'm going to make an upfront investment, I at least want to have some idea whether the company is venture-backing, in a garage, etc.
I wouldn't pay for 2 years of anything up front in this environment if they fold up and go bankrupt --- the consumer might be entitled to zero I have serious problems with that
perhaps they could answer what kind of insurance they provide for this ... if they have an answer, then someone can update the thread
Magic Jack has worked for me 100% on DSL. I can call Russia for 6 and 7 cents a minute and apply more time to that international account in a minute. It has paid for itself 10x over in 6 months, just on domestic calls. Plus, no more calling card pins to dial, just add credit and make call. I am happy I found Magic Jack.
It seems to be a reasonable offer. My current setup is the unlocked Linksys PAP2 device ($35 on eBay, recommended), and if I counted only US calls I'd pay about $2/month with one of Betamax's services (e.g. voipraider.com). Over three years that brings me to $35+$72 = $108, so about the same as nettalk.
Advantages of nettalk: hopefully foolproof installation, VoIP knowledge not needed, actual customer service. Advantages of PAP2+provider: freedom to change providers at any time, pay-as-you-go as opposed to upfront, great international rates (as far as I understand nettalk does not offer international calls at all so you'd need to use some dialaround scheme), open SIP standard will always be around so no ties to a particular company.
Speaking of OOMA, my perception is that they want to position themselves as the Neiman Marcus of VoIP with flawless service for a slightly higher cost. Gotta love having all of these options...
One more thought... How much cheaper than $20 investment and $20 a year can you get? Admitted, I have computer on 24 hr. anyway, and it is an efficient one. If your provider speed is slow is when it doesn't work as well. I have AT&T Express DSL and local line. Saved $60 month minimum switching from AT&T Long Distance. Give Magic Jack a try, it is returnable to Radio Shack and other retailers. Don't buy online.
Magic Jack has worked for me 100% on DSL. I can call Russia for 6 and 7 cents a minute and apply more time to that international account in a minute. It has paid for itself 10x over in 6 months, just on domestic calls. Plus, no more calling card pins to dial, just add credit and make call. I am happy I found Magic Jack.
The concept of MJ is great -- unfortunately, since it relies upon the computer, it's prone to trouble. Personally, mine worked fine until upgrading to Windows7 RC. Afterwards, it started chopping (think: Max Headroom), and much of the time doesn't work at all. Granted, this is the fault of my particular combination of hardware/software -- nevertheless, my MJ isn't working. A strictly ethernet connection would be devoid of all such troubles.
May have to give it a try. Hope it has QoS, at least as an option.
For those who haven't read that far, note that it gets its power via USB connection -- either from an included AC adapter, or via your computer with a free driver (32 bit XP and Vista only so far). Note that it's for POWER ONLY.
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