How to Use Skype on a Mac

The idea behind Voice over Internet Protocol is simple. It transmits voice data over the Internet, instead of phone lines, to make conversation possible. As simple as it sounds, the implementation of this technology and maintaining high voice quality with least delays was not that easy. Thanks to VoIP services like Skype, you can call and talk to almost anybody in the world with an Internet connection for free! Only thing you pay for is the Internet bandwidth.

Can you use Skype on Mac? Of course you can! For those of you who thought that Skype only work on Windows, let it be known that Skype has a special Mac version that you can download! How could Skype leave out the millions of Mac loyalists? In fact, Skype is available on Linux and other operating systems too. This truly makes it a platform independent VoIP communication software. It is no wonder that Skype has more than 19 million active users at any minute of the day.

System Requirements

There are certain minimum software and hardware requirements that your Mac laptop or Mac PC needs to meet, for the Skype application to run smoothly on it. Besides a working Internet connection, here are the features you need to run Skype:

• A Macintosh Computer with an installed version of Mac OS X 10.5.8 or later
• A Computer Processor With 800 MHz or Higher Clocking Frequency (Intel Core 2 Duo or More Advanced Processor)
• At least 100 MB or free hard drive space
• At least 512 MB of RAM
• A Microphone for Making Voice Calls
• An Internet connection with at least 512 Kbps of download speed and 128 Kbps upload speed (For High Quality Video Calling 4 Mbps connection is recommended)

All these requirements are pretty basic and a new MacBook or Mac desktop should easily meet all the hardware and software requirements. Make sure that you shop for headphones with microphones and webcam.

How to Use Skype on Mac OS X?

Once you are all set with all the above requirements met, visit the official Skype website. On a blue tab, with a search field, you will notice a 'Get Skype' tab. Just as you get your cursor on the tab, a drop down list will open up with a hyperlink named 'Mac' under the 'Computer' section. Click on that link to open up the page which provides a download link for the Skype setup for Mac.

Click on the 'Download Now' link of Skype 5.0, which has been specially designed for Mac OS X. It is a DMG file with a 19.5 MB size. If you have a high speed connection, the file will be downloaded within seconds. Just double click on the file for Skype setup to begin. Once installation is complete, you must first open a free Skype account to begin making calls. Provide all the information that is pre-requisite for a Skype account to be opened, provide your email id for verification and get your Skype log in name and password.

Log into your account and start adding friends and contacts from your Gmail, Yahoo or Hotmail accounts. Once your requests have been accepted, you can make free voice calls to your friends anywhere anytime. Just click on the screen name of anybody you want to call and hit the green button to connect a call. You may also chat with your friend like an instant messenger service. Call any cell phone or landline number in the world at just 2.3 cents per minute using Skype. Save on your phone bills by using Skype. For video calls, make sure that you have installed the appropriate drivers for your webcam. Business can profit from the Skype conference call feature.

Make video calls and experience amazing sound and picture quality. Explore all the facilities made available by Skype for you! Chat for hours together with your friends world over for free. Happy Skyping!