Networking iMac, PC and printer together

[greg555]

My new iMac is on the way and now I'm thinking about networking so the Mac and PC can access the internet and share the printer (Canon i860, USB interface). They are going to sit side-by-side so I don't necessarily need wireless.

The guy at the store suggested a D-Link EBR-2310 (about $45 CDN), saying that you can set up the PC (running XP) so that the Mac can share the printer. That could be a good solution though obviously the PC has to be turned on at the time.

Or I could go with something like this Asus unit that has a USB port for the printer (http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicati...tails.asp?EdpNo=3555889&body=MAIN#detailspecs)

Or I could go Apple and buy the AirPort Extreme. It's a lot more money but might be worth it, especially if they fix it so Time Machine can use it.

What are other people using or suggesting? (Once I get everything transferred from the PC I don't think there will be much data moving between the PC and Mac, so the printer sharing is probably the main thing.)

Thanks - Greg

 

[greg555]

My ISP (Shaw) allows me to have two IP addresses, so another option is a $15 ethernet switch/hub. Though that doesn't solve my printer sharing.

I may go this route until I can decide whether to go AirPort Extreme or perhaps even the Time Capsule.

I'd still appreciate any comments.

Thanks - Greg

 

[surferfromuk]

Bin the PC - get a copy of VMware Fusion and run XP that way - you can run any PC apps 'windowed' so you don't even need to use the XP desktop at all.

Keep life simple....

That is of course unless someone else uses the PC - in that case a nice wireless router and just network share the printer from either computer.

 

[greg555]

I have 3 kids and a wife who all want turns on the computer (for game or internet or sometimes homework) so having two computers is worthwhile.

Plus I would hate to have to re-install/re-buy dozens of programs onto a new machine. I had to do enough of that when I upgraded from Windows ME to XP.

Thanks - Greg

 

[surferfromuk]

I have 3 kids and a wife who all want turns on the computer (for game or internet or sometimes homework) so having two computers is worthwhile.

Plus I would hate to have to re-install/re-buy dozens of programs onto a new machine. I had to do enough of that when I upgraded from Windows ME to XP.

Thanks - Greg

I understand - makes sense to keep the PC then.

Just for the record and for ultimate flexibility a copy of VMware Fusion is a pretty nice addition on a mac for $49.00 if you want to run any kind of PC stuff at all - if your getting a core duo Mac then it runs as a pure 'virtualized' image on the native hardware so it'll be super quick.

In terms of your installing again you would simply run 'VM convertor' (free download from Vmware) on the XP machine - that would make a VMware image of the entire PC as it is exactly at that moment (apps and all) and so when you run it up on the Mac it would be an exact copy of the environment.

Very simple to do and hassle free. You don't need to install network drivers or graphics drivers etc - vmware sorts all that out automatically.

Of course the real problem is when everyone's spent a few days on the Mac they aren't going to want to use the PC anymore!

Anyway, hope you enjoy it! (the pleasure of virus and spyware worry free computing alone is quite liberating!)

 

[jb60606]

(the pleasure of virus and spyware worry free computing alone is quite liberating!)

Imagine how many of us MacOS users are going to be caught with our pants around our ankles when hackers and script kiddies start targeting the MacOS.

Greg, you can buy an individual wireless print server for your printer(s) if you're interested. I've been extremely pleased with mine. Just make sure you read the reviews on the one you decide to purchase.

 

[surferfromuk]

Imagine how many of us MacOS users are going to be caught with our pants around our ankles when hackers and script kiddies start targeting the MacOS.

Are you suggesting that all virus's and spyware comes from porn sites !

I'm hoping that the in built OSX requirement to admin password authorise an installation, the 'marked as a web download' and the 'send to download folder' is going to forever spare me that problem!!

 

[jb60606]

Are you suggesting that all virus's and spyware comes from porn sites !

I'm hoping that the in built OSX requirement to admin password authorise an installation, the 'marked as a web download' and the 'send to download folder' is going to forever spare me that problem!!

If only it were that easy though, man. You need an admin password to install an app on a Windows box as well (if the user profile isn't system admin to begin with). Hackers are too crafty though - they always find a way around it. I just hope the MacOS incorporates an AV/AS before it becomes a major issue (probably years off, but just saying).

 

[surferfromuk]

well unix has proven pretty resilient so far, so I'm not going to worry about it yet.

 

[greg555]

Just for the record and for ultimate flexibility a copy of VMware Fusion is a pretty nice addition on a mac for $49.00 if you want to run any kind of PC stuff at all - if your getting a core duo Mac then it runs as a pure 'virtualized' image on the native hardware so it'll be super quick.

In terms of your installing again you would simply run 'VM convertor' (free download from Vmware) on the XP machine - that would make a VMware image of the entire PC as it is exactly at that moment (apps and all) and so when you run it up on the Mac it would be an exact copy of the environment.

Wow! I'll have to check into that.

The PC is 7 years old and I'm not sure I want to replace it if it dies. That said, I'm sure we'll get hooked on having two computers and will have to buy another when the Dell dies.

Thanks - Greg