any applemac users out there

[swanster]

the printer is usb ( 2.0 )
i dont have the airport base station but i will buy one
the broadband internet is connected through airport
the speakers ( harmon kardon ) are connected through usb
the computers will be no more than 6ft from each other

i have usb, ethernet and firewire ports free

please list everything i will need to network the two computers sharing speakers, monitor, printer and internet

cheers guys

[Linx]

Is this a high end USB printer or a low cost ink jet?

How can your broadband be connected through Airport if you don't have a basestation? Do you have a wireless router?

To "share", not network, the printer, monitor, and speakers you will need a KVM Switch. Depending on the monitor (Apple LCD) you may need more. The sitch basicly lets you plug in you monitor and USB devices. Then you can switch between the computer you are using by pressing the button on the switch of the computer you want to use. This how ever is not really a network.

If you want to network your computers your best bet would be to get a monitor for your PC, a router/or Airport Basestation, and either an Ethernet to USB print server, or an Ethernet capable printer. (If you are going to network a printer with the computers you will want a 4 port router instead of an Airport base station.)

Jesse

[LudavicoSoldier]

Originally posted by swanster
ok guys

i need to know what i will need to network my mac ( OSX ) and a pc together. they must share printer, internet, ( broadband ) speakers and moniter ( apple 17inch )

cheers guys

Well, I would suggest sharing the printer out from the Mac (its very easy and reliable in OSX (Panther)). You need a DSL/Cable router to share the network connection. I would suggest the Belkin SOHO series KVMs (I have a 2 port one). They connect each computer via USB, and depending on the model, have either PS2 or USB connections for the KB/mouse. They also have audio switching which is quite handy. This is all assuming that you are using a VGA monitor, as DVI/ADC KVMs are prohibitavely expensive. PM me if you have any questions, I would be more than happy to help.

<edit> I see that you have USB audio speakers. That will be a problem when it comes to the KVM. No KVM (to my knowledge) supports USB audio switching. Do your HK speakers have a 1/8 or RCA connection that you could adapt to 1/8?

[Linx]

Mac USB printer sharing will not work for sharing with a PC.

As I said before the KVM switches are not really a network. If you need to transfer data from one computer to the other you will not be able to with the setup.