Buy Now...

Here I am looking at two models recently released by Motorola one with integral answering machine and the other without. Both models can be purchased as stand alone units or with up to three additional handsets, great for the small office or the home user.

ME4051

This is the entry level unit, it is 13x4.5x3 and weights 150grams. It looks in size and shape almost identical to the more expensive ME4061, however there are differences. The keys are close to 1cm square and are padded, the padding seems strange and is perhaps there to persuade you to purchase higher spec models. However the 3.7x1.7 cm two line display is certainly clearer as certain angles than the ME4061.

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Both units have the same layout of buttons but they do not fulfil the same tasks. There are four chromed strip bars one at each corner of the area between the display and the keys with a rubberised circular button each side and a larger rocker wheel in between.

Given Motorola’s background in mobile phones you will not be surprised that the units look very like mobile offerings. The unit is supplied with a small stand that the power and phone leads need to be fed through to go to the appropriate wall sockets.

It comes with a small sized 60 page user manual that describes all the functions perfectly well.

A nice unit that worked well wherever I used it the only drawback the nasty spongy keys, the display was certainly clearer than the more expensive ME4061.

ME4061 

Size and weight of the handset are identical to the ME4051 above, as stated the solid feel of the keys are much better on this unit, however the display is not so clear at certain angles. The cables feed through a mount at the rear of the answering machine a far less fiddly task probably because the answering machine part is far more substantial than the small stand of the ME4051.

The answering machine is triangular in shape at 18x11x6cm with the phone being charged when sitting on the left side of the unit. The top part of the right of the unit supports a speaker for the answering machine while the lower part has eight buttons and a circular display that has three further buttons surrounding it. The display tells you the number of calls received. It has the ability to be setup with three different messages something that should cover most events. The manual is the same physical size as that for the ME4051 but 6 pages less. However all the information required to use the phone and answering machine are contained just the same.

The likely price of the single ME4051 is around £35 while the single ME4061 including the answering machine is around £50 both units can be purchased with up to three additional handsets and therefore there are more price points than I can list here. 

Currently I can find no link but I am assured that Dixons - amongst others - sell them you could ring 08706099966 for more information.