The main thing we use the landline for is talking to our son who lives 1200 miles away. We’d like to get rid of our landline but have really bad cell service out in the countryside where we live. Been wondering about computer/internet phones. Anyone have any experience with these?
Do you mean using your internet connection to talk to him via Skype or something similar??
Why don’t you use something like Whats AP or FaceTime?
I was thinking actually talking on a phone that is hooked up through the internet or computer. Is that not a thing? (You can tell I’m not very tech savvy)
Off to Google what’s app…
We got cell phones that enable WiFi calling.
We’ve used WhatsApp on different occasions to talk or video talk with one party in the States the other party abroad- works very well.
You can also use FaceTime without the video if you want to.
That’s free (assuming you have internet).
I wouldn’t get another phone thing.
We also have a landline…but it’s because we also have DSL and our landline creates a “bundle”. The landline costs all of $6 a month…in the bundle. Without it, our internet DSL bill would increase by about $25 a month.
And like you…cell service can be spotty here.
OP may be thinking about VOIP, voice over internet. Common.
We used to make international calls using Google Voice from our computer. The calls were very clear. I’m not sure how it’s changed in recent years, but I believe all you need is a Google account, and calls are free anywhere in the U.S.
https://www.lifewire.com/free-phone-calls-with-google-voice-1356611
https://voice.google.com/about
https://www.lifewire.com/how-google-voice-works-3426682
We pay for Vonage, about $30 a month. They gave us two modems, we have one in our summer house in Maine and one in our Asian apartment. We switch which one is activated depending on which house we are in. Then any family or friends can call us at either place with the same phone number. We originally got it so older parents could call us the old fashioned way. Works for us.
I use VOIPo which is $185 after tax for 2 years which comes out to around $7 a month. For any of the VoIP services, you would need a high-speed Internet connection. Cable service, DSL, satellite…
SkypeTalk with a phone number is another VOIP option, as is Vonage. These are more expensive.
You can also use services such as Skype, WhatsApp, WeChat and Facebook Messenger to talk to others who also have the same service. You can’t use these apps to call people on a phone number, though all of these services provide calling for a fee.
Google Voice is not VoIP, but it may suit what the OP wants. It doesn’t support 911 though IIRC.
I think the vonage may be what I was thinking of. I’m thinking of getting rid of the landline and also switching cell phone service from ATT to T-Mobile 's 55 and over plan. We are spending waaay to much on phone 
service!
Can you use your cell phones on your WiFi? Then you wouldn’t need a separate home phone.
I’ve been looking and don’t think the phones we have will do Wi-Fi calls. Don’t really want to get new phones right now as the point of the exercise is to save money.
We have an Obi device and Google Voice for our landline. I think it’s essentially free. My husband even figured out how to port our existing number to Google Voice (it involved first transferring the number to T-Mobile.)
Highly recommend WhatsApp. The reception we get with it with our son in Lebanon is better than our cell phone reception at our house. We can send text messages and voice messages. Also talk with him or video with him. It’s what people all over the world use, too - we talk to our friends in South Africa with it, and that’s how we’re connecting with our daughter in Italy this semester. 
Sometimes when I talk on WhatsApp it’s so clear it’s like the person is in the next room!
At this point in the 21st century, landline and computer/internet phones are basically the same thing. They all use the exact same technology. The only difference is where it actually plugs into. It really comes down to cost. You could go to Wal-Mart and they have a few devices you can buy from services like Vonage or Ooma. Once you buy the device, all you have to do is plug it into your router then go online and setup service. Be sure to choose the selection to “port my number over.” This allows you to keep your current phone number with the new service, and will automatically cancel your old service. Takes a day or two.
We keep our landline because we have a package deal—high speed dsl, landline and basic cable for $95/month. Our landline has a copper wire that continues to work when we lose power. We will reconsider our options when they replace the copper wire woth digital phone.