Review by supergirl Location: Pensacola, Escambia, FL, USA Cost Contract price not specified. I got it for nothing Call quality sucks, busy signals, website is an infomercial If you get it for nothing, try it but don't expect

Web-site: Ease of Installation: Call Quality: Reliability: Tech Support: Value for money:

A friend got it for almost nothing. Like $20 at some promotion. She hated it. Both of us used a laptop since our desktops have expensive audio cards. She used a Sony Vaio and I have a HP (loaded).

I said I'd try and got the same issues: poor sound (a $1500 HP laptop (XP Pro) or a Sony Vaio laptop ($1800--XP Pro) so not the laptops--both of us listen to music, watch movies, etc.), echos (lot of echoes--sounded like in a tunnel), busy signals (all circuits busy), and both USB's didn't like it. Maybe, "I'm a Ferrari. I don't like Ford parts." kinda thing.

Software wasn't much. I wouldn't load it on an expensive desktop with expensive audio cards since MagicJack likes to "takeover".

Pretty much for techies.

Live chat exists only in some weird part of cyberspace for tech. She tried to call, I didn't. Fix the website infomericial PUhleezeee! No, we didn't go to the magic forum of DSLreports.com. It shouldn't require astrophysics to do simple things.

It was a toy. Not a good one. Perhaps "beta" is not a good idea.

Called ID was funny. I called from my cell to it on her laptop. It wasn't my number. Again, it is a toy for some tech to make great, if possible. So, we will give it someone else who is geekish and let them figure it out. Like I said, we weren't trying for an uplink to the space shuttle so why is it sooo complicated.

Same problem with all Net based VOIP: 1 mb up should be fine, more than fine if 256k users make it work sometimes. She even hooked it up to a T3 connection at work. If it doesn't work there, it ain't working anywhere. Yes, she has full use of the T3. No blocks. I have 15/1 HSI.

It's not a Vonage killer (even though I hate them) but TMobile's new @Home might make MagicJack's future in serious doubt unless they just make it a irritating toy.

No, you're not getting her phone number. The MJ is back in its box with the rest of her useless tech junk. Both of us with stick with cell and home phones. I just tried to see if it was as great as this site claimed it was. And, it wasn't like I was paying for it. My USB is more important than the MJ since it usually is for a external HD. I have 4 USBs on the laptop but only like to use one of them. Sorry, one is for a mouse too.

dwbjr join:2008-04-22 Littleton, CO dwbjr Member 2008-Jul-2 10:13 am Magic Jack is a "10 out of 10" Value Just hooked up magic jack on my desktop (HP Media/Vista 64/dwbjr 6/768) - most calls are clear - some are weak, but so far ALL CALLS WORK! There was nothing to do but plug it in, so the problem is not with the product. There are several other factors beyond magic jack's control that can get in the way - poor routers, poor ISP's, system configurations that are not compatible, etc. But for me, this is money well spent - it's costing me a total of $19.99 PER YEAR for all of my domestic local and long distance calling. I am happy to put up with a few bad calls every now and then, in fact, when I think about it, I've had plenty of dropped calls and poor quality connections with all carriers (AT&T, VERIZON, QWEST, CHARTER, T-Mobil). Is anyone paying less for your unlimited local and long distance calls? 2008-Jul-2 10:13 am: · hey mods ·
dwbjr dwbjr Member 2008-Jul-2 10:13 am Just hooked up magic jack on my desktop (HP Media/Vista 64/dwbjr 6/768) - most calls are clear - some are weak, but so far ALL CALLS WORK! There was nothing to do but plug it in, so the problem is not with the product. There are several other factors beyond magic jack's control that can get in the way - poor routers, poor ISP's, system configurations that are not compatible, etc. But for me, this is money well spent - it's costing me a total of $19.99 PER YEAR for all of my domestic local and long distance calling. I am happy to put up with a few bad calls every now and then, in fact, when I think about it, I've had plenty of dropped calls and poor quality connections with all carriers (AT&T, VERIZON, QWEST, CHARTER, T-Mobil). Is anyone paying less for your unlimited local and long distance calls? 2008-Jul-2 10:13 am: · hey mods ·
	supergirl join:2007-03-20 Pensacola, FL supergirl Member 2008-Jul-3 7:02 am Re: Magic Jack is a "10 out of 10" Value Call Quality - "I said I'd try it and got the same issues: poor sound, echos (lot of echoes--sounded like in a tunnel), busy signals (all circuits busy)..." Sorry you buy cheap computers. Like you said, "some are weak", I don't like weak either. I like to pick up the phone, dial, and HEAR THE PERSON CLEARLY. THAT'S HOW MOM DID IT, THAT'S HOW AMERICA DID IT, and it worked out well till crappy productes like MJ, Vonage to hell, etc. came by. Even kids that use two cans with a string have better call quality than Sprint. Of course, the kids also get the other one everytime unlike a MJ! Tmobile's @Home is going to be a VOiP competition killer NOT a MJ. Because you get a router NOT a little thingie that hooks into a USB port. Always nice to meet a MJ rep. Thanks for astroturfing. 2008-Jul-3 7:02 am: · hey mods ·
	Rogerdodger64 @ibm.com Rogerdodger64 to dwbjr Anon 2008-Jul-10 8:10 pm to dwbjr I have to agree with you. It's 19.95. What can you complain about? The thing takes over your system in that it makes itself your sound card device. True. It also makes some registry changes you should be aware of as well like being the default sound device on boot up. This is all fixable and not an issue. I never get echos, weird sound issues, or anything else. It works EXACTLY like it should. The set up was not so simple. It failed to load the software, and the web site sucks totally. They try to force the 3.95 charge on you over and over for "rush" delivery. You will get it in 5 days or so either way. Don't pay it!! Also, be aware that too many callers in your chosen area code will have to dial the full number to ring your number. Verizon: I did not have to, but the local phone company (Qwest) said it was a long distance number which it isn't. Be aware of these things. So in the end my opinion is it works great, does not impose on my computer, (I dedicate a stand alone computer to it since I have so many in my house and set everything to green mode.) Get one today! 2008-Jul-10 8:10 pm: · hey mods ·
		Rob_ Premium Member join:2008-07-16 Mary Esther, FL Rob_ Premium Member 2008-Jul-16 4:20 pm Re: Magic Jack is a "10 out of 10" Value cox may be blocking the ports that allow for magicjack to use OR her signals can be too weak to allow for in/outbound traffic OR she's behind a corporate firewall that could be port blocking. something tells me she's a geek and can very easily fix things like this. if it's at her end. -Rob 2008-Jul-16 4:20 pm: · hey mods ·
			supergirl join:2007-03-20 Pensacola, FL supergirl Member 2008-Jul-18 4:34 am Re: Magic Jack is a "10 out of 10" Value said by Rob_: cox may be blocking the ports that allow for magicjack to use OR her signals can be too weak to allow for in/outbound traffic OR she's behind a corporate firewall that could be port blocking. something tells me she's a geek and can very easily fix things like this. if it's at her end. -Rob MJ is crap. I think my connections are fine. 2008-Jul-18 4:34 am: · hey mods ·
your comment..

Review by gworkman Location: Vail, Pima, AZ, USA Cost Contract price not specified. Cheap Terrible Audio Quality and Awful Tech Support Wasted $40

Web-site: Ease of Installation: Call Quality: Reliability: Tech Support: Value for money:

Strange, but I can call and be heard in the area I selected. I live in Tucson and selected a Sacramento number. I can be heard fine on calls to Sacto, but if I call folks in Las Vegas, I cannot be heard. I spent 8 hours over three days of Tech Support and was told that their Engineers would look into it.

Still waiting.........

your comment..

Review by Takenover83 Location: Indianapolis, Marion, IN, USA Cost: $2 per month Install: about 4 days Cheapest unlimited VOIP you can get Buy a ATA, dont even bother with having your pc on 24/7 Great service, for almost nothing.

Web-site: Ease of Installation: Call Quality: Reliability: Tech Support: Value for money:

You can get unlimited calls to anywhere in the USA, for only $20 a year, and that includes a local phone number. You get several features, that you see on a landline phone, such as caller id, call waiting, voicemail etc. If you are like me, then you can find out your Sip Credentials, and use a ATA (analog telephone adapter), and not be bothered with having your pc on all the time. I use a PAP2 that I got off ebay for $35 shipped. There is a great support forum here, to help you with almost anything you need, when it comes to the MagicJack.

»unofficialmagicjack.forum2u.org/

This is where I figured out how to obtain my Sip Credentials, so I could use any Sip supported hardware or software. My order arrived, 4 days after I ordered, and I did not use express shipping, which was a few bucks extra. They will leave a pending charge, that should disappear within a few days, when you order the 30-day trial. The only down side I see so far, is the customer support, but I have yet to have to contact them, but have heard terrible things. No other provider offers unlimited calling within the USA, for under $20 a year, so this is a great value.

your comment..

Review by chgocolt Location: Chicago, Cook, IL, USA Cost: $1 per month (12 month contract) Install: about 5 days Cheap, easy, cheap and oh yeah, CHEAP Not reliable as a primary number. Great for free long distance to save cell minutes.

Web-site: Ease of Installation: Call Quality: Reliability: Tech Support: Value for money:

My review with 2 weeks experience.
Set-up was easy. Took the fix from the web site to make it work, but it went just as the brief instructions said it would.

Voice mail sucks if you want to record a custom message. Won't record well for me. Kept the standard message and I'm fine. Like the emailed wave files for voice mail messages.

Sometimes it takes 3 or 4 tries to get a dial tone. Also I've answered a call and it keeps ringing 2 more times for the caller after I pick it up before it will make a connection.

As long as you have solid service from your ISP the calls are fine. Even with the few short comings of the service, at $20 a year for unlimited calls to US and Canada there's nothing to complain about. It keeps me from going over my cell plan minutes if I just use it for outbound calls at home and when I'm traveling. Tomorrow I'll find out how well it works in public hot spots while I'm on the road the next few days.

I wouldn't go for the extended plan to lock in the price. I don't see it as a viable business that will be around long. I don't thing the minimal ad revenue from the client screen will make up for the bargain basement price. It will probably go the way of SunRocket sometime in the not too distant future.

DSLWvista @sbcglobal.net DSLWvista Anon 2008-Jul-3 3:53 pm how does Magic Jack work with??? I used to have broadband but now have DSL --- Also how does it work with Windows Vista? I could not find any comments to these two differences. 2008-Jul-3 3:53 pm: · hey mods ·
	chgocolt Premium Member join:2004-07-10 Chicago, IL chgocolt Premium Member 2008-Jul-4 9:17 pm Re: how does Magic Jack work with??? Yes, it will work with DSL and with Vista. I believe there is a Vista patch you'll need to download from their web site. 2008-Jul-4 9:17 pm: · hey mods ·
		Angelc2 @verizon.net Angelc2 Anon 2008-Jul-5 8:00 pm Re: how does Magic Jack work with??? ok, so, I currently have dsl with verizon at #20 a month for computer use and basic phone service also at about !$20 month for phopne calls. Now if i get this magic jack, can I discontinue my verizon dsl and verizon basic phone service and their bills and just use this magic jack for phone calls and computer use ?? I don't think so but am uncertain? I am assuming I will still be paying for DSL computer service and a regular phone service, plus another $20 a year for magic jack. Ok, I save long distance charges maybe? but now my life is more complex managing more complex gadgets and paying more bills. I need to know if I can discontinue the DSL service and if I can discontinue the basic Verizon telephone service also??? If I discontinue Verizon phone service and later want to reconnect or re-activate, it may cost me over $80.00 to start new service again and also loose my long time phone number. 2008-Jul-5 8:00 pm: · hey mods ·
			PocA @pacbell.net PocA Anon 2008-Jul-14 9:03 pm Re: how does Magic Jack work with??? Nooo... don't discontinue your dsl! if you do so, then you won't be able to use the magic jack at all since you need an internet connection... maybe you can drop the phone contract, but I think you should try MJ first before you let go off your cellphone... 2008-Jul-14 9:03 pm: · hey mods ·
chgocolt Premium Member join:2004-07-10 Chicago, IL chgocolt Premium Member 2008-Jul-11 5:22 pm MagicJack ran out of magic for me Returned it today with just a couple days left on my 30 day trial. Some days it worked great, others it was awful. Had to run the "fix" from the web site several times a week. My computer would never boot properly with it plugged in so I moved it to a front USB port. Some days I would pick up the phone and it wouldn't give a dial tone. I would have to unplug it and plug it back in. Tried it on my office laptop with same results. I really wanted it to work well for travel, but it just is not reliable. Took so long to get it working at a hotel that when I got to my next stop I didn't even bother trying. I found other VOIP services (those V folks and the S guys) to be far more reliable. MagicJack is just not ready. Maybe in a year or so. 2008-Jul-11 5:22 pm: · hey mods ·
your comment..

Review by ejrobinson Location: Miami Beach, Miami-Dade, FL, USA Cost Contract price not specified. easy setup, inexpensive, convenient for traveling. often mediocre call quality, computer must be running. Not for mission critical use

Web-site: Ease of Installation: Call Quality: Reliability: Tech Support: Value for money:

Magicjack is more of a gadget. Call quality is often mediocre. It has to be used with a computer that is running. Since magicjack installs itself on whatever host computer to which this has been connected there are 2 problems: First of all, some computers are configured to prevent any such installation. Second, it isn't awfully polite to leave stuff on someone else's system.

On the positive side, the pricing is seductive for many.

swanboy join:2001-01-22 Hollywood, FL swanboy Member 2008-Jun-20 5:13 pm Well, I would think that anything with a cost of $39 is not for mission critical use 2008-Jun-20 5:13 pm: · hey mods ·

your comment..

Review by dspringer4 Location: Terre Haute, Vigo, IN, USA Cost: $3 per month (12 month contract) Install: about 5 days Works 99% as advertised the 1% is getting the voice mail initialized Can't beat it with a stick!

Web-site: Ease of Installation: Call Quality: Reliability: Value for money:

Why pay big bucks for a land line or digital phone service when I can have magicJack? It is working just fine and I cannot beat the price.

maggiedenny @Level3.net maggiedenny Anon 2008-Jun-12 6:10 pm magicjack.com I have 2 magicjacks I can not get them to work I have tryed to get ahold of you why the internet and why phone no one gets back to me phone #760-379-1489 it has been more than 30 that I have been trying to contact you magicjack removed from my bank account $93.80 I have a phone number for magicjack 281-404-1551 customer service when I call this number it dose not ring or connect. It must be connected to the magicjack I would like my money back. 2008-Jun-12 6:10 pm: · hey mods ·

juan solero @optonline.net juan solero Anon 2008-Jun-13 7:23 pm change an already regiesterd magicjack I BUY TWO MAGICJACKS AND GAVE ONE TO MY BROTHER AND HE REGITER IT IN HIS NAME AND ADRESS AND E-MAIL BUT HE GAVE IT BACK TO ME AND I WHAT TO GIVE IT TO MY FREIND HOW DO I CHANGE ALL THE INFORMATION TO MY FREINDS NAME AND ADRESS AND E-MAIL. PLEASE CALL ME OR E-MAIL BACK TO ME AT bigcap01@msn.com or call me at 917-470-2789 2008-Jun-13 7:23 pm: · hey mods ·

your comment..

Review by rlazica Location: Grosse Pointe, Wayne, MI, USA Cost: $3 per month (12 month contract) Install: about 5 days Worked as advertised from the day it was delivered None Magicjack work so well I bought one for my daugther

Web-site: Ease of Installation: Call Quality: Reliability: Tech Support: Value for money:

I can't say enough about how well Magicjack works I bought one because I was traveling to Europe. Once ordered it arrived in 4 days, I connected it to a Vista Operating System and after a couple reboots the Magicjack has never stopped working. I took it to Europe and made dozens of phone calls to the US and the quality is as good or better then any phone service that I have ever used.

charely @qwest.net charely Anon 2008-May-29 3:04 pm magic jack payment They said free for 30 days after trying it. WRONG!! they debited my account for 2 them just 3 days after ordering it and have not even recieved it yet. There is no contact phone number to call and cancel the order or support posted on the web anywhere, the number they give you to call is all recorded and for ordering only...not a good start..I will be sending it back right away due to this kind of support... So beware, THEY WILL CHARGE YOUR ACCOUNT!!! THERE IS NO FREE RISK HERE! 2008-May-29 3:04 pm: · hey mods ·
	phoen number @qwest.net phoen number Anon 2008-May-29 3:12 pm Re: magic jack payment Will anyone out here in this Magic Jack World really reading this please post the phone number for a real body! I have not revieved it yet and been charged also and wish to call on my order....! ! ! ! 2008-May-29 3:12 pm: · hey mods ·
	WarmCoke join:2007-01-31 Boise, ID WarmCoke to charely Member 2008-Jun-9 10:11 am to charely They "authorize" your card for the full amount - but this is not the same as "charging" - they should actually take the money at the end of the trial period.....sheesh people if you are that close to broke that $50 means the world on your account - might I suggest stop buying things! 2008-Jun-9 10:11 am: · hey mods ·
		Bonnie @rr.com Bonnie Anon 2008-Jun-22 4:57 pm Re: magic jack payment said by WarmCoke: They "authorize" your card for the full amount - but this is not the same as "charging" - they should actually take the money at the end of the trial period.....sheesh people if you are that close to broke that $50 means the world on your account - might I suggest stop buying things! sheesh, yourself -- to some people, the principal of fraud is important!!!! 2008-Jun-22 4:57 pm: · hey mods ·
Steveoreno @suddenlink.net Steveoreno Anon 2008-Jun-2 5:46 pm MagicJack Ordering mightmare I ordered the MagicJack Free Trial, 3 weeks ago. I went to the website to ask why I have not received my order yet. After finally getting to a Live Chat person, they checked on my order and had no record of the order. So ... I placed another order for the Free Trial. After 5 minutes I went back to Live Chat and asked if they got my order. Again they said they had no record of me placing an order. Why do I get the funny feeling that my credit card is about to be charged twice for a Free Trail offer???? 2008-Jun-2 5:46 pm: · hey mods ·
kamd @bellsouth.net kamd Anon 2008-Jun-3 12:17 pm magic jack receive my magic jack very quickly. Currently I have no phone service at home and didn't know you had to have broadband or dsl, so this will be returned. Wanted to get return address but it's not showing up my order #. They stated that credit card will not be charged until 6/20. Maybe I have to wait until then to return!! 2008-Jun-3 12:17 pm: · hey mods ·
your comment..

Review by dbmaven Location: Highland Mills, Orange, NY, USA Cost: $2 per month (24 month contract) Install: about 6 days Simple USB device, outstanding call quality, dirt cheap Simple USB device, company still in startup mode A 'you can't lose' offering if you want a secondary line on the cheap"

Web-site: Ease of Installation: Call Quality: Reliability: Tech Support: Value for money:

If you have a decent broadband connection (3m down/512k up), and a reasonably new PC/laptop, this should work for you. In most cases, you plug it in, it sets itself up, starts a registration page (allows you to register/activate the device and pick an area code) and you're good to go.

At the price, it's incredible for unlimited US/Canada calling. Most of the time (95+%) the calls are clearer than cell or landline.

Warning: you should be at least "competent" in dealing with your PC and operating system if you get this. There is no "Support Number" to call - it's handled by a chat window on their website (the reasoning being that if your computer is down, you can't call anyone anyway).
The one time I contacted support my problem was solved within 10 minutes.

If you need hand-holding, don't get this.

If you're thinking of replacing your POTS/land-line with this and using it as a primary phone service - don't.

If you have a kid who's on the phone constantly, or make a lot of long-distance calls and want to save money - then get this and use it as a secondary line.
You'll be glad you did.

your comment..

Review by tlaw51 Location: Niles, Berrien, MI, USA Cost Contract price not specified. none poor customer service, poor product, hard to get a live person, Bad product and service

I ordered this thinking unlimited long distance would be a great asset. It was bad from the onset.

They put it in my son's name, and he never even lived here, and I used my own credit card (have no idea where they came up with his name when I gave them mine). When it arrived I tried to install on two separate computers, both only one year old, and we have Comcast cable. Their checklist said everything was compatible and working fine.

The hardware showed it was working, and the blue light came on. There was a dial tone, but no registration pulled up to get a phone #. I went to their website, entered the information, but it was blank when prompted to select an area code.

I finally - after numerous attempts- found a way to get to a live person. There are many places to click, but they don't take you there until you put something in the submit question section a couple of times, then all of a sudden one click actually went through. I spent over an hour with an agent - who was very slow, trying to get some help. I work in customer service for a cell phone company, and you never start out with a customer who is willing to work with you and escalate the call to the point where I simply said- I'll send it back. She never apologized, or even made an attempt to retain me.

The next day, after trying again to get it to work on one of the computers, returned to the website to return it. I am within my 30 days. I clicked the area to submit the order #, tracking # and credit card #, and got the message: "We can not find any orders that match the information provided that are within the 30-day trial period." I retried in case I entered the information incorrectly (even though I cut and pasted from the email).

Once again I had to click back and forth until I was able to finally get to a live person. I immediately asked if my account was XXXXX, ordered on 4/30/08. The agent verified this. Then I told them of my dilemna. He gave me the same site to access the return, and I cut and pasted the above response that I received. He then entered the information himself, where I could enter my comments as to my return, and a refund ticket was processed. Tomorrow, 5/19/2008 I will return this product.

The customer service the second time was much better. The first time was terrible. It is difficult to navigate the site to actually get through to what you want, and overall his was a poor experience. If the product was good, it would have worked on one of the computers. I definately would not recommend this product to anyone.

William T @aol.com William T Anon 2008-May-18 11:58 pm Connecting Magic-Jack with modem Ordered magic-jack, had problem with connection. I use a modem with my computer like most users. I could not connect the magic-jack. Finally chatted with a (Live agent),he wanted to know what service pack SP1 or SP2 I was using. DUH what does that have to do with the connection? NO help I sent it back hope they don't bill my credit card. 2008-May-18 11:58 pm: · hey mods ·
	Jack Magic @verizon.net Jack Magic Anon 2008-May-31 3:24 pm Re: Connecting Magic-Jack with modem Where did you ever get the impression that magicJack should work on a dialup modem? The don't make that claim. In fact they specifically say that broadband is required. 2008-May-31 3:24 pm: · hey mods ·
wFk Premium Member join:2005-09-30 Palm Springs, CA wFk Premium Member 2008-May-19 3:51 am MagicJack I've been using ths device for 1 month now and don't have any complaints about how the device was advertised to work. Voicemail that is included with their service is great, no missed messages,and I have no problems with using my own phone's message capabilitie's. Can also forward all calls to another phone ie:cell, ect. I have been able to block calls,and caller ID is fine. great call log too. No problamo to set up, just plugged it into my usb port, followed the onscreen directions, picked out a telephone number and about a minute later started using. I have experienced some echoing and/or static at time's but nothing too crucial. I get the same with another (more exspensive) service. I would suggest you try it for yourself using MagiJacks Free Trial Offer. Remember this service is costing me $20.00 bucks a year. The voicemail alone is worth that to me.(works as a great PRIVATE # and vmail at the least.. Good Luck. 2008-May-19 3:51 am: · hey mods ·
freezing @77.109.104.x freezing Anon 2008-May-20 11:01 am Talking with a breathing person I haven't been able to use my phone for two days because they want a proxy register and will not accept my sign in and I keep getting the number 3 error. It is impossible to get through to talk to some one about a simple problem. This is madness. 2008-May-20 11:01 am: · hey mods ·
your comment..

Review by smokozuna Location: Las Vegas, Clark, NV, USA Cost: $5 per month Install: about 2 days Inexpensive and easy to use. Not as reliable as a hard line. Good Product.

Ease of Installation: Call Quality: Reliability: Tech Support: Value for money:

I have no complaints with Magicjack. I received my order in about 2 days, plugged it in, set it up, and it has worked great. I think MJ is 90% reliable. I have only had a handful of down days in the 4 months I have owned it, mainly when they are upgrading their servers, in which case I use my cell phone. I like MJ and will continue to use it.

your comment..