MagicJack review - long-distance for $20/year
Reviewing the Magicjack
I normally do not watch info-mercials. But, when I was a vacation a few weeks ago, one particular product caught my eye. It was a Magicjack. The announcer said that you just plug this little device into your computer, connect your phone to the device and could make calls like usual. Users could call anywhere in the U.S. and Canada for as much as they like. The kicker was that there was no monthly fee. Only $40 $20 per YEAR.
So when I heard all this I was pretty skeptical, it just sounded a bit too good to be true. From what I knew about Skype and Vonage, this sounded like a similar program but was a fraction of the cost. I did a bit of research about the Magicjack and read what a few others wrote about it and decided it was worth a shot. Even if it was a scam, I would only be losing $40.
After getting my Magicjack a couple days later, I plugged it in. Followed the simple on-screen installation instructions and was ready to make a call in about 5 minutes. The Magicjack comes with the software built in so there is no need for a CD installation.
Testing out MagicJack
Once you start the Magicjack a little pop-up window appears like the one below…
It includes a contact list and shows the last calls made and received. You can dial from the pop-up or from the phone directly.
The first call
A little bit like a giddy little kid, I called my wife and asked her how it sounded. On my end it was great and it seemed to be fine on her end as well. In using it a few times over that first week I occasionally (2-3x) noticed a weird popping noise, but after the last software update I haven’t heard it anymore. I have now been using it for over a month and have not had a dropped call or any other difficulties using it. As far as sound quality, I think it sounds better than my cell phone (which is why I was interested in one in the first place).
What I love about the Magicjack
- Free (only $40 per year) and unlimited long distance anywhere in the U.S. and Canada
- You can switch it in and out of different computers
- You can take it with you overseas and call back to the U.S.
- It comes with free voicemail
- You can get email notifications of new voicemails
What could be improved
- You need to have your computer turned on and the program running - This probably can’t be improved on, but it is something to keep in mind if you decide to get one.
- I would like to see a spot on the pop-up window that notifies you if you have a new voicemail.
My recommendation
I am very impressed with how well the Magicjack has worked. I know there are a lot of people who have done away with their landlines and don’t mind using their cell phones as their only phone. But for others still using a landline or who have switched to Skype or Vonage, the Magicjack is definitely worth investigating further.
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Comments on MagicJack review - long-distance for $20/year »
MagicJack is really $40.00 to buy and with one year subscription. The next year it is only $19.99. Each year it is $19.99. Thanks though for your response on the magicjack.I’m also thinking about getting one. I now pay $10.00 a month from AT&T for unlimited long distance.(business line)Dave.
Dave,
you are right, thanks for clarifying that.
So will you get a voicemail if someone calls and your computer is off? Sounds like a pretty good deal…I am looking into it.
So how do you talk or hear the person on the other line? Do you just get a microphone and headset?
@Tim
Yep, whenever my computer is off, the call goes straight to voicemail.
@Wendy,
I should have explained that better. No, it is your normal phone, you just plug it into the magicjack box (seen above) and the magicjack box connects to the computer via USB. Then you just pick up the phone and dial like normal.
I have one and it doesnt work that great. I can hear the person i call but they only hear me sometimes, goes in and out.
I bought the Magic Jack a few months ago but it did not work for me. I tried it on 3 different laptops, I could place a call but the person on the other end could not hear me. I contacted Magic Jack IT but they were not able to fix it for me. So I ended up returning it, sounds like it works great for some but not everyone.
Tina
@Rocco and Tina
thanks for sharing - I have only been using mine on my Mac, I need to try it out on my PC laptop and see if it still works as well… Were you guys using it on PCs or Macs?
Hi Bob, I was using my on a PC
use mine on two 3 different pcs and still not much luck
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I was wondering if anyone knew if you have to have your phone line turned on at all for this to work? Or could your phone service be turned off completly? Does your phone need to be on by example: At&T for the Majic Jack to work or not?
I’m a bit confussed, Melissa from GA
Melissa,
you don’t need a phone line turned on at all… All you need is a computer hooked up to the internet and a phone (handset)… You then plug your normal phone into the magicjack and plug the magicjack into a USB port on your computer…
And just to add a bit more, I have now been using it for a few months and still really like it… I haven’t really had any problems either, unlike some of the commenters above. I am using it on a MAC, I don’t know if that makes much difference. But I have no intentions of giving it up for a landline again anytime soon…
Does anyone know if you can port a number over to MagicJack?
It’s nice to see some common sense users of this product for a change. The only issue with this device is IGNORANCE. After reading hundreds of I love it and I hate it posts, I’ve come to a few conclusions.
1: Never buy ANY free 30day trial on ANYTHING!!! Get MJ from QVC, Circuit City etc… Then you have a hassle free return. ALL 30 DAY FREE TRIAL AND GIVE US YOU’RE CREDIT CARD NUMBER Company’s will set on your money and give you the runaround, duh. Your and every other sucker’s money is letting them make interest off it. They ALL will bite you in the azz with the fine print. DON’T DO IT!
2: For the people that think that thing that comes out after you press the button on the front of the computer is an automated cup holder, you’re too stupid to use this product. Hell, they probably have trouble operating a light switch and flushing the toilet. If you are a 1 on the (1 - 10) Tech Savvy Scale, save us the drudge of reading your negative post and don’t even think about getting this product. It’s way, way, way over your head. Go play with the light switch or something. MJ is a startup company running on a shoestring. It’s $40 dollars! It’s $40 dollars! It’s $40 dollars! It’s $40 dollars! It’s $40 dollars! What do you expect them to do, send a tech to your house? Come on people get real. If you can’t make it work then return it to Circuit City or QVC etc… Oh, you did the 30day free trial thing? DUH… you deserve the hassle. Just don’t bore us with your post.
3: Paranoid people get up in the morning; check the weather etc… on Internet. Hello! Your ISP tracked what you did and the Weather web cookie and all the other cookies did they’re thing. Picked up your Cell phone and made a call, Hello! Your phone service tracked and logged your call, they also knew you were home because of the built in tracking system. Got in your car and stopped at intersection, got your picture taken by traffic cam. Somebody knows where you were at the time of day. Stopped to get gas, restaurant, shopping swiped your credit card, God only knows how many people got this information on what you bought. Went to work and your employer tracked every keystroke, oh and don’t forget to smile for the candid camera. I looked your name up in the White pages and Goggled Earth your address, WOW! You got a really nice house dude. Maybe I’ll pay you a visit and spy on you. You think MJ gives a rip about the above information? They just want to know local information so they can push you the latest add special from the local pizza place. Unless you live in a cave, get a life because this is your life, you’re just too stupid to recognize it and all the bitching in the world is not going to change it. Install this on an old Pc, stick in the closet, plug in a wireless phone and forget about it. Now it’s out of site and out of mind. Just like all the above listed things you ignore every day.
4: This DOSE NOT and SHOULD NOT replace you’re your phone system. Analyze what it can and cannot do for you. If it makes business sense then get it. If not, DON’T slam this product because it doesn’t meet your needs. This device saves me and millions of people like me lots of money.
5: Read 1 – 4.
bubba you are a rude moron
I have had a magic jack for two years now. it has about 80 % of the effective service of a land line, and ! find it’s quality to be above that of a cell phone.
1. On MOST calls this device is crystal Clear. On some calls you may get a echo when you are speaking. You get your OWN number that can travel anywhere on earth that your computer can go and be internet connected. If the person you are calling has a magic jack on their end you can call from ANYWHERE ON EARTH, using the magic jack you have, and the calls are FREE.
2, While it has directory assistance for free, dont throw away your phone books just yet. Most of the time I used directory assistance for magic jack, it came out he wrong number.
3. Upgrades come very easy…Talking to a live person good luck !!!
4. If you make a lot of Telephone calls it will save you a small mint. (BEST FEATURE).
5.Computer must be on…
This device can be very cost effective.19 dollars A year, vs 25 dollars & up a month for land lind.
No Conference call s etc can be intiated from this device.