suggestions: inexpensive USB IP phone (wi-fi possible too?)

I am a new convert to the VoIP arena and am very intrigued with the entire concept. I am planning a trip to Europe soon and would like to be able to keep in touch with friends and/or have a phone to use in Europe (current cell phone won't work but does have wi-fi access).

I will be bringing my laptop so the idea of a USB IP Phone has me very interested. I have a few questions for any experienced IP phone users...
1) I'd like to know if there are any USB IP phones that might also have wi-fi capability. I'd like the convenience of USB to connect to my laptop when wireless isn't available and I'd like the convenience of wi-fi if I take the phone to a public wi-fi location.

2) Recommendations on a good quality (small/portable) USB IP phone and some ideas on what to look for in this type of phone. I currently signed up with Pennytel but I don't know if any IP phone works with any USB provider. Any insight in this area would help me better understand what to search for.

3) Is eBay a good place to find USB IP phones or is most of the stuff there bad quality?

Welcome to Voipuser forums.Usb

You can buy USB phones that are similar in appearance to a typical "cordless: phone but wired to the computer USB port. They are small and convenient. They are not IP phones, the voip software runs on the computer which, of course, needs to connect to the internet. Any voip provider that works with the computer should work with a USB handset.

If you have a cell phone with wifi then it should work where you can get access to wifi. What make/model of phone have you got. Depending on the phone you might find that buying a SIM card for the country that you are visiting might be very convenient.

dibsmft :

Welcome to Voipuser forums.Usb You can buy USB phones that are similar in appearance to a typical "cordless: phone but wired to the computer USB port. They are small and convenient. They are not IP phones, the voip software runs on the computer which, of course, needs to connect to the internet. Any voip provider that works with the computer should work with a USB handset. If you have a cell phone with wifi then it should work where you can get access to wifi. What make/model of phone have you got. Depending on the phone you might find that buying a SIM card for the country that you are visiting might be very convenient.

Well I have a Sprint HTC Diamond (CDMA) so I know it won't work in Europe but I can use the wi-fi part and a sip client (as I understand it) to make/receive calls.

Regarding the USB -vs- IP handsets, what is the difference? I am primarily interested in a phone I can plug into a USB port on my laptop, which will already have an IP connection, and I can use to make calls (and receive calls?). As far as having software on the laptop, is it required in order to use this type of phone. See, I told you I'm new to this!

An IP phone plugs directly into your ethernet network and connect to the IP provider (no computer needed. The normal USB phone can be viewed as providing a speaker and microphone as well as a keypad for number entry. Normally, they are provided with software to run on your computer to configure everything (usually only software for MS Winmdows although they can be used under Linux). You can see and example here but there are many other models available
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic
-Black-Speaker-Handset-KX-TS710B/dp/B001CMJVIM

If you have a voip client such as X-Lite (free version should be enough - down load from Counterpath) or similar that will allow you to connect to Pennytel. Give it a try,