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Latest Skype for mac feedback?

OldCorpse

OldCorpse

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Dec 7, 2005
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I've never done the Skype thing, but my buddy in Europe is on my case to hook up w/ Skype. I looked on the Skype site, and see they have a new version for mac:

http://www.skype.com/products/skype/macosx/

released jan 10, 06. Anyone have any feedback on this release? I don't want to mess up my system with unstable ware. TIA :)

(sorry, I couldn't figure out which was the appropriate forum, hope it's ok here).
 
OldCorpse said:
I've never done the Skype thing, but my buddy in Europe is on my case to hook up w/ Skype. I looked on the Skype site, and see they have a new version for mac:

http://www.skype.com/products/skype/macosx/

released jan 10, 06. Anyone have any feedback on this release? I don't want to mess up my system with unstable ware. TIA :)

(sorry, I couldn't figure out which was the appropriate forum, hope it's ok here).
Click to expand...

My friend with someone in England says it works great. don't know if they did the latest update but they both have 12" ibooks - one is a 1.2ghz the other a 1.33ghz and they are thrilled. One of them has to wear earphones, tho, because without them you get echoing, I guess.
 
California said:
My friend with someone in England says it works great. don't know if they did the latest update but they both have 12" ibooks - one is a 1.2ghz the other a 1.33ghz and they are thrilled. One of them has to wear earphones, tho, because without them you get echoing, I guess.
Click to expand...

Thanks, California. I guess I'll give it a spin :)
 
I live in the UK, and I regularly call family in Australia using Skype, both from computer to computer, and from my laptop to their landline. It's also very good for 'conference calls'.

Never had any problem with either. I would reccommend getting a headset of some sort though, as it makes the whole experience much better.
 
I've been using build 1.4.0.27 for about a month and I think it's great, I use from the UK to the US and Aus..... with no issues. I do tend to use headphones and my in-build iBook mic.

I'm downloading the new version .35 and will update later after testing, but having looked at the change log there isn't too much there that will effect what I do.

In fact we now all use it at work if one of us is working from home and use the Instant Messengering as it seems to be the best product that works on all platforms (linux, OS X & Windows)...... it's just missing webcam for OS X, then it'd be perfect.

Update: .35 seems ok just tried voice and IM.
 
The latest works fine on my G4 powerbook with either a BT headset or a plantronics audio 45 usb headset. I've heard different reports about the latest Skype running on intel macs though - ranging from it's fine to not working at all - any one had any experience of this?
 
Highly recommended...

I have been using Skype for over a year now and was one of the first apps I downloaded when i switched to Mac last summer. :cool:
I use it everyday as my preferred messenger and also to talk to work colleagues in India and USA. I find the quality is very good and I use a Logitech USB headset (in case you ask). Am just waiting for Apple to release iSight in USB format (if they do) and for Skype to add video capability to the Mac version. Am getting a bit jealous seeing my work colleagues using skype-to-skype video!! :(

I have heard of echoing issues when used with built-in mic and speakers on a laptop so prob best go with a headset option.
 
I use it too - a great app. I don't use headphones though. The external speakers on my PM work fine and I use a Logitech USB mic - works beautifully, without any feedback or echoing.
On a side note - why does it seem to be Brits only using it? Are we all too cheap to pay for phone calls?:p
I'm using v1.39 not this updated one
 
I can dial up my Windows using friends. The only strange issue is that the CPU usage is about x3-4 more than the Windows version, but the memory usage about about x4-5 LESS than Windows version. :confused:
 
Love Skype, the sound quality is excellent. My only gripe is that they don't support videochat for Mac's yet, only Windows.
 
crdean1 said:
Love Skype, the sound quality is excellent. My only gripe is that they don't support videochat for Mac's yet, only Windows.
Click to expand...

Wow, tons of good feedback, thanks guys. I've downlaoded the latest version, and I'll try it out next week. On a sidenote, I've seen articles claiming that Gizmo is a lot better, but since my European pals are all on Skype, I'll have to go along with the crowd :)
 
Mostly OffTopic :):
Never tried skype so can't comment on it's sound quality, but IMO by far the best voice quality of any chat application has been Ventrilo (computer to computer only).
They apparently have a beta out for Mac.
 
any word on the mac version having video anytime soon. I have been using it to keep in touch with my gal who is studying in the UK. Video would be pretty nice.

side note..... anyone know how i can have my ibook speakers and mic be default until i plug in my usb headset...... or have the headset only be used for skype without constantly getting into system prefs?

one more thing. how do i check and make sure my new headest is working totally. no one i know is on and i am rather impationt about this whole thing for some reason.... its been a long week.
 
I went to the skype website and checked out the features of its free product, and I don't really get what makes it different than all of the others (such as MSN, yahoo, etc.) Can someone tell me what makes this program better than the rest?
 
azzurri000 said:
I went to the skype website and checked out the features of its free product, and I don't really get what makes it different than all of the others (such as MSN, yahoo, etc.) Can someone tell me what makes this program better than the rest?
Click to expand...

It has excellent quality, cross-platform (Mac, Win, Linux) voice chat. Also, you can use it to both make calls to and receive calls from regular phones. Calls to/from regular phones cost money, but not much, and for international calls, it's VERY cheap. I use it to call Japan occasionally, and it's only about 2 cents a minute. I've been using the 1.4 beta, and now the official release for some time with no problems. I've always just used some headphones and my PowerBook's internal microphone. Tomorrow I should be receiving my IPEVO Free.1 USB handset which should provide better quality than the internal mic. I don't use a headset because I find them annoying.
 
mduser63 said:
It has excellent quality, cross-platform (Mac, Win, Linux) voice chat. Also, you can use it to both make calls to and receive calls from regular phones. Calls to/from regular phones cost money, but not much, and for international calls, it's VERY cheap. I use it to call Japan occasionally, and it's only about 2 cents a minute. I've been using the 1.4 beta, and now the official release for some time with no problems. I've always just used some headphones and my PowerBook's internal microphone. Tomorrow I should be receiving my IPEVO Free.1 USB handset which should provide better quality than the internal mic. I don't use a headset because I find them annoying.
Click to expand...

OIC thanks :)

I remember back in the day when MSN used to have to have the capability to call phones for free...
 
I just downloaded and tried out Skype, and I can report it works great on my powerbook. Audio is much better than our regular telephones (land and cell) with just my built in microphone :eek:

My dad was getting a terrible echo on his end until I plugged headphones in (thanks for that tip California!).
 
Anyone heard any rumors about when Skype 2.0 (with video) might be coming out for the mac? Add me to the list of those eagerly awaiting...
 
I've been using the latest version on my Core Duo iMac.

Running under emulation, it takes up anywhere between 40-60% CPU resources. That's a lot for a chat program. Part is of course due to emulation, but as a previous poster says, Skype really taxes the processor.

I think the voice quality is great for Skype, but I'd like to see it act like other "background" type programs and occupy less CPU. Would also like to see an Intel-native version soon. :)
 
dothog said:
I've been using the latest version on my Core Duo iMac.

Running under emulation, it takes up anywhere between 40-60% CPU resources. That's a lot for a chat program. Part is of course due to emulation, but as a previous poster says, Skype really taxes the processor.

I think the voice quality is great for Skype, but I'd like to see it act like other "background" type programs and occupy less CPU. Would also like to see an Intel-native version soon. :)
Click to expand...

Even running the mac version tends to use a lot of resources. It can be a bummer on my powerbook because I'm using the built in microphone. One second my dad is hearing me fine, the next: my pb fan turns on, and suddenly it sounds (to him) like I'm calling from a runway! :eek:
 
miloblithe said:
Anyone heard any rumors about when Skype 2.0 (with video) might be coming out for the mac? Add me to the list of those eagerly awaiting...
Click to expand...

I'm interested, too, but the size of the video is tiny from what I've seen on the website. It seems to be stuck in the contact list. They recently updated the Windows version so hopefully, they'll have good fixes by the time the Mac version is ready.
 
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