IBM 4900 4-Line 900 MHz Digital Spread Spectrum Cordless Phone with Caller ID

Unlike systems in which a dedicated base station and extension handsets are packaged and sold separately (such as Brother's CTS-400 cordless phone system), the IBM 4900 is geared to function more as a stand-alone cordless phone, and it does indeed work well as a single unit. The IBM 4900 also interfaces with phone systems that have up to 12 extensions. The emphasis on single-unit design has, however, resulted in reduced range and less line-of- sight coverage compared to systems with a dedicated base station and multiple extension handsets. Nevertheless, in our tests, we found the coverage adequate for most office environments.

The IBM 4900 features a 24-number speed dial memory, as well as a caller ID display. Such features as 12 one-touch intercom buttons and call privacy will please small-business employees. Our only complaint was with the absence of a fast-charging feature, as the ni-cad battery requires more than three hours to charge.

With its digital spread spectrum technology, caller ID, and support for larger phone systems, the IBM 4900 four- line cordless phone should satisfy the general telephone needs of your home or small but growing office. --John Frederick Moore

Pros:

• Good overall performance as a stand-alone unit
• One-touch intercom buttons

Cons:

• No fast-charging feature
• Reduced line-of-sight coverage in multistation environments

Other features include 12 one-touch intercom stations, three-way conferencing, auto line select, automatic redial, call timer, call transfer, do not disturb, a dual keypad on both the base and handset, flash, hold, intercom and paging, line privacy with override, a message-waiting light, mute, a new-call light, a PC/fax data port, selectable ringing assignment, a speakerphone, and a spare-battery backup.

You can combine the IBM four-line 900 MHz digital spread spectrum cordless phone with caller ID, IBM four-line telephone, and IBM four-line telephone with caller ID to form a four-line, 12-unit, non-KSU telephone system. This phone comes with a one-year warranty.

(1) After about a year, buttons -- like "hold", "line 1", etc. --start to go dead on the phone.

(2) There is something strange about the electronics because occasionally, for no apparent reason, the telephone will pick up on speakerphone, so that you find a dialtone blaring into an empty room.

(3) Sometimes the cordless version will insist it has a low battery even though the battery is fully charged. There is an arcane procedure in the manual to fix this. (This may account for the other reviewers' comment about dead batteries.)

(4) Generally, it is very hard to use and program. You have to punch in an amazing number of codes to do simple things like changing the ringer.

(5) The phone is stupid about basic things link disconnecting if you hang up -- you have to push "End" or it stays connected even on the cradle, and if you put someone on hold and pick up in another room, the original phone will keep ringing to remind you that someone was once on hold.


Where are the phones designed for 4 line home offices?   February 3, 2002
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I've read all five reviews. I've been looking for a well designed, affordable and reliable 4 line phone for over a year! I think I'm going to pass on the IBM 900 MHz Cordless, not only because of the problems identified but also because I, like some other reviewers, already have one four line phone (purchased as a make do strategy until I could find a phone more to my liking). I'm struck by the lack of variety and the extremely small number of manufacturers that offer 4 line cordless phones. I also find it amazing that features I've come to take for granted on l and 2 line phones (lighted displays, blinking lines, etc., seem to be lacking on the few 4 line cordless I've reviewed. If anyone knows of other brands, please let us know.


Battery problems   July 26, 2001
Ron R. (Irvine, CA United States)
2 out of 4 found this review helpful

I ordered one through Amazon.com, but when I received it I couldn't charge the battery (left it there for 15 hours). Then I returned it and asked for another one. Amazon.com was nice enough to send me another one 2nd day delivery at no charge, but UPS was not good enough and delivered the item to me after 7 working days!!! The new one has exactly the same problem. The handset is DEAD. The battery is not charging at all and it seems this IBM-4900 caused me enough problems to the point where I think I will return this one; go to an electronic shop and will pay double but I WONN'T BUY IBM again!!!


Can't tell which line is ringing on handset   July 11, 2001
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

I just discovered a big problem for me, after having the phone company come and install more jacks for this phone. I had two 4 line IBM-412CD phones, and encountered the same problem as the last reviewer... if you picked up on a line, using another make of phone, your main/base phone would keep reminding you that it was on hold, even if the call had gone away from the other phone. Now that I have the cordless IBM, I can't tell what line is ringing... there are no indicator lights on the handset to tell me. I answer some lines one way (business) and others just "hello" (home line) and now I don't know how to answer the phone when the handset rings and I'm not near the base phone to see. Really irritating, and I'm stuck, since these phones are not compatible with other makes. Thanks, IBM. (not)


No luck with headset; phone not compatible with other mfgrs.   November 7, 2000
17 out of 19 found this review helpful

I purchased this phone to use it with a headset. But when I walk around the house, the party I'm talking to always hears some sort of noise due to the phone or headset chord rubbing agains this or that. Maybe I had a bum headset or phone. But the clincher for me was this phone is not compatible with other mfgrs. I have some phones mfgrd by VTech & daily heard random ringings & beeps from the IBM phone. I called the mfgr (TT Systems or something like that is the mfgr, IBM is just the name on the phone), TT said this 4-line phone can not be mixed and matched with other mfgrs. Well, I don't want to toss out my existing V-Tech phones. So I'm getting (2) additional V-Tech phones for my home office. My situation is I have 2 lines for work & 2 lines for home; and want all 4 lines in my office. By the way if you want a chordless phone with headset I definitely recommend looking at V-Tech, we've had 2 of their phones and their the best chordless I've found. Other than that the IBM is loaded with features (4 line, speakerphone, DND, Caller ID, Mute, Redial, Transfer, Paging, Conference, Intercom, mute) that V Tech didn't offer. If you are in a position to use one mfgr for all your phones; and if the chordless headset problems are just a fluke; or you don't want a headset; I would recommend considering the IBM. Also for Telecom novices like me, if you call the phone company to do the wiring, there are 3 jacks in this phone, L1/L2, L3/L4, and Data. So in my home office the phone company set up 2 wall jacks, L1/L2, and L3/L4...I think the wall jacks called RJ14 wall jacks instead of the standard RJ11.