Windows XP/OS X Networking

web_matt · Feb 11th, 2004, 11:55 PM

How easy is it? I have a wired/wireless network of about 6 PCs and I'm looking to add a Mac (see below for why). I've been told that its "very easy" and that they network seamlessly. How accurate is this?

Another question - I'm trying to get a newer mac (I have a PB 170, Performa 5200CD and PB 1400cs/133 right now) to play around with OS X and iLife to see whether I should get a new 12" Powerbook G4 or a Dell 300m. I was originally looking to get a beige G3, but decided they're too slow and not upgradeable enough. The next choice was a Blue and White G3, but eBay prices on those have skyrocketed in the last two weeks, making me more hesitant. Plus, I'm thinking it might also be too slow. Anyway, I'm now looking at a Sawtooth G4 here in town (no shipping, yay!). Its a G4 450, 192mb RAM, 20GB, DVD drive with all original boxes, cables, software, etc. Its apperently only been used a couple of months. What do you think is a good price?
Thanks!

Jordan · Feb 12th, 2004, 06:00 AM

I run Jaguar and I can share files between my Mac and my Xp machine with no problems.
Even the Network at work I can easily access and print to any of the printers, with GimpPrint (free)
What does Dave do?

insertclevername · Feb 12th, 2004, 07:20 AM

Get the Powerbook! Now if you want to stay PC, drop that dell junk and pick up a Sony Viao X505!

http://www.icube.us/sony_x505/product_overview.htm

Anyway, if you go the Mac way, you'll have Panther, which makes it incredibly easy to network with Windows. It took me all of two seconds to connect to network, set up printer, and set up file sharing between my Mac and roommates PC.

MACSPECTRUM · Feb 12th, 2004, 08:13 AM

	Quote:
	Doesn't Panther handle network and printer sharing work with Panther itself, Macspectrum?

one can use the built-in feature in Panther, but I have found that my clients perfer the ease of use of DAVE
I recommend it becuase I have to support them afterwards

(( p g )) · Feb 12th, 2004, 08:19 AM

Panther is fine if all you want to do is share files between Macs and PCs on your network. If you want to share a printer, then take the advice given about DAVE. It's worth the money to avoid the endless headaches of trying to get printers to work.

insertclevername · Feb 12th, 2004, 10:51 AM

I havent had any problems printing to XP printers using the standard Panther networking features.

Macaholic · Feb 12th, 2004, 12:33 PM

Hey Matt [img]smile.gif[/img]

A Sawtooth could be had for as low as six or seven hundred bucks. They are VERY upgradable. I myself use a Sawtooth 450. I have the RAM maxed (2GB), added a Radeon 9000 Pro card (2X AGP -- it shipped with a rage 128 pro 16MB), and a dual 1.2GHz G4 processor upgrade is enroute from the USA as I type.

Plus, future OS X support is a safe bet (Apple dropped OS X support with Panther for any Mac that does not ship with USB). Even without the processor upgrade, OS X runs decently on it for mainstream consumer needs. Panther actually runs faster on it than previous versions, and Apple's new ilife apps bundle (iMovie 4, iPhoto 4 etc.) run better than previous versions, too.

As for connecting to Windows, I've not tried it myself, but surely others who have will respond. In the meantime, here's some URLs to peruse. Note that some might be a bit dated:

http://www.macwindows.com/panther.html

http://www.macdevcenter.com/pub/ct/48

http://www.macosxhints.com/article.p...30903064754266

http://forums.osxfaq.com/viewtopic.php?t=7735

http://www.macwindows.com/tutorial.html

MACSPECTRUM · Feb 12th, 2004, 12:33 PM

	Quote:
	How easy is it? I have a wired/wireless network of about 6 PCs and I'm looking to add a Mac (see below for why). I've been told that its "very easy" and that they network seamlessly. How accurate is this?

you didn't say which mac and which OS
AND
you didn't say what you wanted the mac to access on the "network", so i'll just have to guess

to network the mac to access the internet is a breeze
i assume you have a router?

to access PC shared files, best to use DAVE - very simple to setup
to access PC printers, you can use DAVE again

anything i might have missed?

Macaholic · Feb 12th, 2004, 12:42 PM

Doesn't Panther handle network and printer sharing work with Panther itself, Macspectrum?

Macaholic · Feb 12th, 2004, 12:42 PM

	Quote:
	one can use the built-in feature in Panther, but I have found that my clients prefer the ease of use of DAVE I recommend it because I have to support them afterwards

Okay, but OS X can do it without the financial outlay of Dave. The option of Dave is there, but it's not a necessity.