Buying MacBook Pro System For A Friend...

[Mayo]

I am in the process of putting together a Mac system for a friend who is a long-time Windows user.  She will be buying a 2.0 GHz MacBook Pro and all the trimmings, around $4000 once we're done. Mac, Airport Extreme Base Station, Airport Express, 60GB iPod, two printers, external drive, etc.  It should be a pretty sweet system.

She is currently using a Windows box that I want to keep operational and online while she is making the transition to the Mac. I assume that we can use the Apple Base Station Ethernet port for the PC.  Are there any potential glitches with that plan?

We want to have laser and inkjet printers available on the wireless network.  Since there is only one USB port on the Base Station, I assume that a USB hub will do the trick.  Again, any problems with that? Hub recommendations?  Since I am ordering an external drive from OWC a hub that they carry would be most convenient...

She has expressed interest in Bluetooth-capable input devices such as a full-size keyboard, trackball and small portable mouse.  Anyone have experience with these?  I have used Kensington Orbit trackballs for years because I like the ergonomics and software, but there isn't a Bluetooth version available.  I did try an optical version of the venerable mechanical Orbit and I did not like the feel and I returned it... I see that Kensington does have myriad Bluetooth portable meese...

Finally, I need recommendations for a laser printer, Mac-friendly, compatible with USB printer sharing, suitable for a woman with a growing one-person consulting business.  I guesetimated around $400, give or take; a printer available at Costco would be cool, but it isn't a requirement. Money isn't really a consideration here, so we can consider spending more if a case can be made for it.

Since my friend is not particularly computer-savvy, the emphasis is on reliability and plug-and-play functionality, which is why we are sticking with Apple hardware, so don't waste your valuable time with suggestions to save $$$ by considering an alternative wireless router, etc. (Besides, by the time most people read this I will already have the Apple hardware in my possession.)

[Parker]

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60GB iPod,

save a good like $150 when you buy a refurbished iPod Photo 60gb if you don't need video.

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I assume that we can use the Apple Base Station Ethernet port for the PC. Are there any potential glitches with that plan?

nothing wrong with using the LAN port on the AirPort Extreme base station
i use that to connect multiple computers through a hub/switch, and it'll work the same connected to just one machine via. ethernet.

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I assume that a USB hub will do the trick. Again, any problems with that?

yes there is a problem with that
the airport extreme can only support one printer
so you may want a wireless print server if you're planning on connecting more than one printer
however ALL-IN-ONE PRINTERS WILL NOT WORK ON A PRINT SERVER!
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...7&CatId=371

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She has expressed interest in Bluetooth-capable input devices such as a full-size keyboard, trackball and small portable mouse. Anyone have experience with these?

Do they even make bluetooth trackballs?
You'll want to go with Apple Bluetooth Peripherals for flawless working.
Say... an apple bluetooth keyboard and mighty mouse??

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Finally, I need recommendations for a laser printer, Mac-friendly, compatible with USB printer sharing, suitable for a woman with a growing one-person consulting business. I guesetimated around $400, give or take; a printer available at Costco would be cool, but it isn't a requirement.

i will go with either this brother printer, the HL-5140, with the D-Link USB Print Server. It prints great and fasttttttt. i have it at home and i love it! plus the toner lasts long.

Either that or this HP printer, which is also good and you can get with a built-in print server: the hp laserjet 1320tn

but if you're looking for a really nice, good quality, cheap color laserjet, choose this one: the HP CLJ 2820, with an external jetdirect print server. Have used this one also and it is awesome!!

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Since my friend is not particularly computer-savvy, the emphasis is on reliability and plug-and-play functionality, which is why we are sticking with Apple hardware, so don't waste your valuable time with suggestions to save $$$ by considering an alternative wireless router, etc. (Besides, by the time most people read this I will already have the Apple hardware in my possession.)

don't only think apple hardware is the way to go... the linksys wireless router is extremely easy as well and much more reliable than the apple airport extreme base station.


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hope this helped!
cheers,
parker

[krissel]

No personal experience with most of your inquiries but I do strongly recommend a powered USB hub.

[Parker]

krissel,
a USB hub will NOT work with a print server
hate to bust your bubble but sorry

[krissel]

My recommendation was generic relating to any USB hub purchase, not specific to the Airport or print server connection.

[Mayo]

It's been suggested to me by someone with direct experience that sometimes a powered USB hub and multiple printers will be accessible, and sometimes not, even though Apple states that only one USB printer can be connected at a time.  Since the hub can be returned if it does not work, I'll go ahead and give it a try.  I'll let folks know if it works or not.

Since I only plan on getting the laser printer now, it will be October or November before I will get the inkjet printer and hub.  I'm leaving for a month-long trip to Europe in about three weeks so the amount of time I can spend on this project is limited by previous commitments...

[Parker]

alrighty then

krissel, yes in general a powered usb hub is better
i agree with you on that.

however, regarding plugging a usb hub into a print server, when you send the request to the print server, it'll get confused which printer to send it to.

cheers,
parker

[Mayo]

Another possible solution is getting a laser printer with Ethernet capability; one of the HP printers I looked at yesterday has an Ethernet port. It would be a bit more expensive than a powered USB hub, but without the hassle should the hub solution not work.

[Paddy]

Mayo, on my own setup, I have an HP Laserprinter with an external HP print server connected via an ethernet hub connected to the Airport base station, and a USB printer connected to the Airport base station directly. Works fine and all computers in the house have access to both printers.

I would definitely recommend going with a laser printer you can connect via ethernet.

And, I'm very happy with my Airport Extreme base station - as I noted in the other thread on routers. Have used 2 other wireless brands and not been happy (Linksys was one).

[Larry G]

i agree with using a laser printer with a built-in jetdirect print server.
as gailwin first said, the LaserJet 1320tn is probably one of the best most reasonably priced printers i've ever bought, as well as one of the most reliable.

[Mayo]

The salesman I worked with told me that both Netgear and Linksys routers have "issues," primarily depending on the type of broadband connection used... and that has certainly been my experience.

It turns out that the fellow worked for Intel (among other companies) on the design side of things for a number of years and we wound up talking for over an hour mostly about hardware design (Intel and IBM chips), the internal design of the new MacBooks and the Windows and Mac operating systems, among other things. He uses only Macs now, plus he told me that he has converted his entire family and all of his friends to Macs.  I know enough to know that he knew what he was talking about, and some of the "insider" info about Intel and Redmond was fascinating (he still has lots of contacts in the industry.) My B.S. meter didn't register a thing.  That has to be a first for a computer salesman!

The salesman is new at this local computer store and I could tell that he was their "go-to" guy for technical info; even the service guys were coming out and asking him questions and getting help on things.  That store is damn lucky to have landed him.  I wouldn't have had the opportunity to meet him if I had done all my shopping on the Internet!

[Parker]

you can save a few hundred bucks buying it through Apple for Education

44!!

[mastercheif]

Bluetooth printer?

[Parker]

speaking of... i need an adapter and a battery for my canon i80
so i can start taking that to school

22 AND COUNTING!!

[Mayo]

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Bluetooth printer?

I think that the Ethernet solution will be more practical because there are many more printer options available...