It's one of those simple questions, just like "Do penguins have knees?".  British newspaper The Independent asked just this question this Sunday (the telephone one, not the penguin one), and I thought it was worth suggesting a few good reasons of my own, as well as hopefully getting a few more from all of you Skypers.

The case for using Skype itself is pretty clear I think: free or very cheap calls, coupled with chat, video, cheap SMS and other features.

However, most PCs and laptops come equipped with some kind of mic and speakers, so why spend the extra on handsets, speakerphones or other such peripherals?

CNET delved into the same question this weekend, noting that "Over the last year, however, VoIP providers like the industry leaders Skype and Vonage have been offering handsets that look and work more like the phones people are used to". So: Skype hardware helps humans interact with Skype.

Here, though, are a few more reasons of my own for tooling up with a Skype phone or headset:

1) Because it feels 'right'. I've been using a phone to call people since I was 3 years old. Personally, it still just seems a bit strange to me to shout at a computer screen when I want to talk to someone.

2) Because I travel. I just use a headset or USB phone when I'm on the move and make a call on my laptop via a wifi hotspot (and soon hopefully without even using my laptop now that the new Skype-embedded wifi phones are landing in the shops..!). Sure I could use my mobile, but I'm still washing dishes to pay off the last call I made overseas using my mobile.

3) Because I can call on Skype while other people are using the landline. This saves so many arguments...! Of course this doesn't apply to all Skype phones, but phones such as the Philips VOIP841 or the Dualphone for example allow you to do this.

4) Because I can free myself from my PC. Many of the newer Skype phones are cordless, so you can use them anywhere in the house.

5) Because I make conference calls. Making Skype conference calls via the PC's mic and speakers is OK, but once you've used a Skype speakerphone such as the Polycom Voicestation 500 or Logitech Easycall Desktop, you realise how much clearer and easier it is to hear everyone on the call.

6) Because in general calls are often much clearer. Dedicated Skype phones or speakerphones tend to have higher quality speakers and mics than your standard PC mics and speakers, meaning that audio is more accurately rendered.

7) Because gadgets are good. OK, OK I admit it. I'm a guy. I like shiny gadgets.

I'm sure there are more - be interested to hear your thoughts on why you bought an internet telephone, and how it helps you use Skype...

To take a look at a good selection of Skype phones, headsets, speakerphones and other devices for using Skype, check out the Skype shop here: UK, US, France, or Japan.