HP Thin Client with AMD Sempron $499
John P. Falcone,
Senior Editor
December 4, 2007
Skype's VOIP (voice over IP) service has plenty of advantages: you can talk to millions of other users worldwide for free, and even make calls to standard phones for a very minimal fee. But as an Internet phone service, Skype has been tied to PCs: you needed a headset or a USB phone plugged into a powered-up PC. That's now a thing of the past with the latest series of Skype dual-mode phones. Each of these phones can be plugged into your home network (for Skype) and/or your regular landline, giving you the best of both worlds when it comes to making a phone call. All are DECT 6.0 cordless phones, so they work with a minimum of wireless interference, and--with the exception of the Linksys offering--each system can be expanded throughout the house with additional handsets. The bottom line is that you get all the convenience and thriftiness of your Skype account--without the need to even turn on your computer.
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| Price | $357.99 | Check Prices | $449.99 | $149.99 to $205.93 |
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| Review date | August 03, 2007 | June 18, 2007 | April 16, 2007 | November 28, 2007 |
| The Bottom Line | The Netgear SPH200D enables phone calls on Skype and traditional landlines--but it falls a bit short of competing models on design and features. | The Linksys iPhone CIT400 is a capable Skype dual-mode phone, but it doesn't include the expansion options offered by competing models. | Slick design and mostly solid performance sets the Philips VOIP8411B apart from competing Skype dual-mode phones. | GE's dual-mode Skype phone/cordless handset may not be the sexiest model out there, but its ability to toggle between Skype and landline calls--and even do three-way conferencing between lines--sets it apart from the current crop of dual-mode Skype phones. |
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| Features | ||||
| VoIP Services |
Skype |
Skype |
Skype |
Skype |
| Manufacturer Warranty |
1 year warranty |
Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
| Product Description |
NETGEAR SPH200D - Cordless phone |
Linksys iPhone CIT400 |
Philips VOIP8411B - Cordless phone |
GE 28310EE1 W/ call waiting caller ID |
| Display |
LCD display - Color |
LCD display - Color |
LCD display - Color |
LCD display - Color |
| Caller ID | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
Yes |
Yes |
| Speakerphone | Info unavailable |
Yes |
Yes ( Digital duplex ) |
Yes |
| Display Features |
Backlit |
Backlit |
Backlit |
Info unavailable |
| Product Type |
Cordless phone |
Info unavailable |
Cordless phone |
W/ call waiting caller ID |
| Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications |
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