creating an iMac village...

Discussion in 'General Mac Discussion' started by blackfox, Oct 7, 2004.

Most Liked Posts
  1. blackfox, Oct 7, 2004

    blackfox macrumors 65816

    blackfox

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2003
    Location:
    PDX
    #1
    OK, so I am looking for some advice/feedback on the following plan I have:

    I am moving into a new penthouse Apt with two other people and wanted to upgrade the computer set-up. So I came up with this idea:

    I thought I would purchase three (perhaps four) old iMacs (266 or 333), stick them full of RAM, load them with OSX and deposit them around the house...one in the kitchen, a couple in the living room, and another possibly at the door (for iCal and whatnot).

    Now ideally I would like to put a wireless card in most, if not all of them along with Bluetooth (preferably) for a wireless keyboard. I would put all the iMacs on a network (wirelessly) with my PM in my room and my PB as a wanderer (out the door alot, and we have a private rooftop deck with a view over downtown). I would have a couple wireless keyboards to share with the iMacs, and regular keyboards as backup. I would administrate/control them via Remote Desktop from my PM.

    Basically they would serve as media centers for iTunes and for movies/media based off my HDs on my PM or my external drives. Since I also have students in my household (including myself), they might also be used for Word. In addition, there would be some degree of file-transfer between the "papa" computer and the "children".

    So are the early iMacs able to go wireless? to have bluetooth?

    If not, any suggestions for a work-around?

    I figure for around $1000 or so, I could have a pretty cool thing going on...

    I have considered setting up old G3 towers with multiple monitors (wireless/bluetooth[again,if possible]) but that is a much less elegant solution...

    BTW, the Apt is about 1700 sq feet...

    *EDIT* Upon further research, can I use the ethernet 11g adaptor?
    how about the Bluetooth USB dongles?
     
    share
    + Quote Reply
  2. TLRedhawke, Oct 7, 2004

    TLRedhawke macrumors 6502

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2004
    #2
    Only slot loading iMacs support Airport. And even then, it requires the adapter. Both parts were recently yanked off the market. Through some experimentation, it's possible to get a tray loading iMac to use wireless, by attaching it via ethernet to a wireless access point that has a client mode. However, since these things are bulky, and run a fair bit per, it's not an exceptional solution. Though, considering the cost of Airport cards, and the adapters at this point, the access points may be a bit more ideal, costwise.

    Other than that, I rather like the idea. I've got numerous macs and PCs set up on a network throughout my apartment, though not wirelessly, and it makes things infinitely simpler. The concept of streaming a movie off my primary PC to a P3 hooked up to my TV always makes me giddy.
     
    share
    + Quote Reply
  3. cubist, Oct 7, 2004

    cubist macrumors 68020

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2002
    Location:
    Muncie, Indiana
    #3
    What's wrong with using wires? You can snake 'em behind the furniture, etc. Things will run better & faster.
     
    share
    + Quote Reply
  4. blackfox, Oct 7, 2004

    blackfox thread starter macrumors 65816

    blackfox

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2003
    Location:
    PDX
    #4
    Nothing. For some. For the iMacs in the Living room, I will probably end up wiring them, as I already have to snake a power/extension cord. For one in the kitchen and/or foyer, the distance could prove a pain, although it can be snaked along the molding where wall meets floor. I would like the option though, and my PB is already wireless.

    BT keyboards are a bigger issue, although there are some decent alternatives (some IR, for example)...

    Just looking for opinions...thanks for yours.
     
    share
    + Quote Reply
  5. monkeydo_jb, Oct 7, 2004

    monkeydo_jb macrumors 6502

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2002
    Location:
    Columbia, MO
    #5
    I have the D-Link DBT-120 usb dongle for my TiBook, which I got from Apple's site.

    It worked in perfect harmony with my Sony Ericsson t610.

    I can't comment on its compatibility with Apple's BT keyboard and mouse, but would assume
    that it would work just fine.
     
    share
    + Quote Reply
  6. Jigglelicious, Oct 7, 2004

    Jigglelicious macrumors 6502

    Jigglelicious

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2004
    Location:
    NYC
    #6
    I just bought a Belkin 802.11B wireless USB network kit for my slot loading iMac for $20, since I didn't feel like shelling out over $100 for a used Airport card. To my surprise, it works perfectly. Its not pretty, but hey, its cheap and it works.
     
    share
    + Quote Reply
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)

Share This Page