Polycom is a company better known for making clever, good-looking business phones, and in keeping with that, the Communicator C100S both looks good and is a little on the expensive side.

The Communicator is a Skype speakerphone – it plugs into a PC's USB port and allows the user to make Skype calls as if on a speakerphone. The sound comes out of the built-in speaker, and the built-in microphone is used to pick up the user's voice.

Installation was easy, although the supplied CD is a bit pointless – it simply points the user to the company's website to download the software. It might have been easier to simply include a leaflet with the web address.

The device works well with Skype – and can also be used with any other voice program – although when unplugged and plugged back in, it took over the PC's speakers, which had to be rectified in the PC's control panel.

Sound quality was very good, however, and the volume reaches quite high levels without distortion. A pair of headphones can be plugged into the device, if your call requires privacy. Overall, this is a good-looking, well-built device that works with few problems, although it's quite expensive compared with the US Robotics Speakerphone.

Related reviews