magicJack Review - Install and Show Features on Mac

Summary

I've been seeing this product advertised everywhere, and I've been interested, but not convinced on buying this product. Finally I just decided to get, because it's easy to return and my computer is on 24/7 anyways. I went down to my local drug store (Walgreens) and picked this thing up for 39.99, I think you can get it for about $2 cheaper at Amazon.com

Review

First Time Setup

To install, you just plug the magicJack usb directly into your computer, not a hub... trust me it doesn't work right even though it appears to at first. Then plug in any regular phone to the magicJack.

This first time you plug in the device you will be taken through a 4 or 5 step process to pick the phone number you'd like. It seriously took me longer to decide which number I wanted than do the actual setup.

Next you can use the simple instruction on the left side of the magicJack program to setup your voicemail. This will take about five minutes to list to your options, record a message, and setup your pin.

Using magicJack

Actually using magicJack is easier than setting up, as you see in the video, you phone acts exactly the same, just pick it up and dial. When you get a call it's the same thing, but on your computer you will see who is calling and have the option of ignore the call an sending it voice mail. Or you can just pick the phone up to answer.

The magicJack program has an option to switch to "headset" which actually just means using your computer's microphone and speakers.

On the right hand right of the program there is a list of all of your recent calls, and their status (missed, received). You can also save phone numbers and add them to your contacts.

magicJack also features call waiting. Just use the features on your phone to switch calls like you would with your traditional landline service.

magicJack and MAC

When installing on an Apple computer, the magicJack mounts a virtual drive called "phone" to your computer, which stays that way to keep the programming running.

I didn't notice any changes to the OS, but I did find some annoyances. For one this, there is always a magicJack icon in your dock that doesn't go away, and since magicJack is always running, I now get to look at an icon in my dock I rarely use but always see. There should be an option to run in the background and have a menu icon instead.

The other problem is when using multiple desktops. If someone calls you and you pick up the phone, your current desktop is switched to the original magicJack desktop instead of just popping up. This is very frustrating if your in mid-sentence reading an email, and the desktop switches because someone in your house answers the phone.

This final problem is the restart. Sometime when you restart your Mac, magicJack doesn't work correctly (like it dials but you don't hear it ringing even though it's really calling). You have to quit magicJack from the main program screen, unplug it from usb, then plug it back in and everything works fine.

Conclusion

Even with all of the small bugs left to work out, magicJack is still well worth the price. I will deal with the desktop switching if it saves me about $100 a year. If you have a better-that-dial-up connection, your computer is constantly on (or don't mind leaving it on), and just need simple phone service, this product will definitely work well for you.