Polycom Communicator – The Best Skype Small Conference Room Solution, for Now

A great Skype conference phone, that may actually work too well!

Click here to go to Polycom Communicator product page.

See the Review on its Direct Competitor, IPEVO TRIO.

Packaging

The Polycom Communicator (C100S) comes in a four color box that prominently displays the Skype logo. Although not the most attractive packaging, the box does list package contents, features, and requirements.

Items included in the box:

* Polycom Communicator
* Integrated USB Cable
* Setup Wizard CD
* User Guide
* Carry Case
* 30 SkypeOut Minutes

Installation

Installation of this phone was not the most intuitive setup we have seen. First gripe is that the CD auto start did not load properly on our Windows XP test machine — testing on other computers worked perfectly. We had to manually explore the CD. However, come to find out the software needs to be downloaded off the internet anyhow. So lets us help you out a bit and provide the necessary links:

* Download Latest Skype Software
* Download Latest Polycom Communicator Software

Polycom Communicator USB Skype Phone Review

Advertised as the ‘ultimate hands-free’ Skype experience, we have to give the Polycom Communicator (C100S) 1 1/2 thumbs up. The unit is spectacular in its compact appearance, ease of use (after installation), and quality build. However, the range of the two microphones might just be too good — more on this to come.

The USB Skype phone we tested is Polycom Communicator C100S (Dark).

Polycom Communicator (C100S) comes with an integrated USB cable. Our second gripe is that the USB cord is way too short. Our test desktop is located on the floor, and the USB cable (3 ft) barely made the connection. If you plan on having the laptop or PC away from the Communicator, you just might have to buy an inexpensive USB extension cable.

The Polycom Communicator has 5 buttons on the face of the unit and one headset input on the right side. There are (2) volume control buttons, a mute button, a button that opens and closes Skype, and one that initiates a call or accepts an incoming call. The unit has a stand that folds open to support the phone. Nice overall design. Incorporating a caller ID LCD display in future models would be an attractive upgrade.

Incoming voice quality on the Polycom Communicator (C100S) is great — providing an echo free, crisp, no/low noise conversation. The two microphones, located at the bottom of the unit are another story. They work too well! On our test calls, our phone companions were able to hear conversations occurring 25-30 feet away. Also, because the USB cable is so short, the two microphones are located close to our keyboard. Many of our test callers complained that they could hear (loudly) the typing of the keyboard. Polycom – please extend the USB cable!

The headset input is great when you want to keep conversations private. Tested with a Skype starter kit headphone, the unit work flawlessly.

[Note: This phone was tested using Skype 2.5.0.122 and Polycom's Communicator 1.01 software]

Conclusion

Overall, we are quite pleased with the build and sound quality of the Polycom Communicator (C100S). If you plan on using this phone as a conference phone, we are confident it will meet and probably beat any expectation you have regarding Skype phone call quality. The Communicator is a great purchase for a quality conference phone with a middle of the road price.

However, if you plan on using it as a laptop/desktop Skype companion in a noisy office/home environment, the microphone sensitivity might be too great. Which is sad, because I was looking forward to keeping this phone on my desk awhile.

Interested in buying one? Click Here.

Technorati Tags: Skype, VOIP, Polycom, Communicator, Conference, Phone, C100S, Technology