Intel mac on powerpc network?

As far as I know, networking Macs is a processor-agnostic task. All you need to do is connect the new Mac to the network and connect to other Macs in the network as you normally would (either via the Network area in Finder or using Go->Connect to Server).

As for running programs on other Macs, I do not know if this is possible, as I have never tested it.

 

You run programs on your Mac, regardless. Whether you are networked or not doesn't change that, and Rosetta has nothing to go with networks.

Once you are on a network, if you mount a network volume (server, or shared folder on another machine) it shows up as a "disk" volume, if you open or launch something from that, it will run from that location, but 'on' your machine.

Keep in mind that just because you can see it on the network you may not be able to run it - you may be lacking necessary application support or libraries on your machine. And certainly no Classic programs will run.

All of this is subject to modification if your school network uses some form of network management system which forces machines to log into the network as a user and restricts what can be done.

 

You wouldn't want your MacBook to boot off the school's network. It would be easier to use it as-is and just connect to the network for internet/file sharing/printer services. Even for this, you may need to consult the tech facilitator (or equivalent), but if you don't need wireless its likely just a matter of plugging it in to a ethernet jack..

Its more likely the school's machines boot off their own drives, and users login to a network account on a server.

Get the MacBook though, they're awesome.