I cannot even begin to tell you how many problems I have had with Skype for the Mac. I’ll start with a few things below:
User Interface
Horrible. Almost all Mac apps that I use have a decent User Interface and easy to use. Not Skype. The user screen for skype in my opinion is Pretty ugly, which is rare for me to say about a Mac app since most look similar in how they’re built. Skype for Windows has a by FAR better UI, and MUCH easier to use.
Lacks Features
If someone drops from the call and all the people use a Mac, and the host is away: tough luck. Skype for the Mac has no ability to add people if you aren’t the host. Skype for Windows can do it easily, but Skype for Mac doesn’t even have the feature built in.
Crashy
Skype for the Mac crashes more than any other Mac app combined. It almost reaches Firefox-like level, which if you’ve seen crash ratings on Firefox on my Mac, it is very very sad. Skype for Windows almost never crashes, and flows easily when it quits & opens. Skype for the Mac, however, takes almost 25 seconds just to quit out of the app. If you’re in a call, Skype freezes up for about 10 seconds before deciding to finally quit normally. Skype crashes 90% of the time whenever someone is added to a skype conference and my mic is either muted or on hold. I’ve also had skype crashes whenever i try to unmute my mic and then adjust my volume bar on the call.
Skype Chat
Skype chat is actually one of the only good things made by Skype and actually in my opinion is a tad better than Windows. Windows Skype users always start a new chat regardless of whether a new call was made or not, which isn’t too annoying but it does get on my nerves when after a skype call ends i am in 5+ conferences. However, on a more positive note, Skype Chat for the Mac is pretty decent. It works and looks nice. Of course, skype chat also at times causes the whole app to crash, but I do not put the blame on Skype Chat itself.
Skype recently announced that they would make Skype Video Calls in HD. They need to work on getting Skype for the Mac working decently first, because if they integrate HD video calls and don’t fix the app, we will now have more opportunities to see “Skype has quit unexpectedly” windows.
Skype, I will refuse to use Windows just for one application. So get going on Skype 3.0(or 4.0) NOW.
