file sharing between Macbook and MS?
 

Those of you who know my history might be amused to see me even considering a Mac. I need another laptop and I'm not too fired up about getting stuck with the new OS (Vista) or signing on for one that is doomed to extinction (XP). All the computers on my network are XP. We do a lot of file sharing and have common printers. Can I even throw a Macbook at my current network?

Yes you can.

The Mac should automatically pick up your printers on setup.

There are numerous options for file sharing.

Apple includes Windows File sharing capabilities and the Mac can detect and connect to just about every type of file server out there.

I personally just use FTP to move stuff back and forth. Less overhead that way.

This is all dependent on your current network being set up reasonably properly, just because it works does not mean it's correct.


Scott

I just run the "Network Wizard" and everything basically works.

Would I need to do it differently?

Really depends on your router. If it's set up for DHCP it may assign a different address to the MAC every time you disconnect/reconnect it to the network. Does not break anything, just does not allow you to map the box as a permanent network drive. You'd have the same issue with an XP laptop.

I have found that home routers are usually pretty good about assigning the same address every time so it's not an issue.

Or ou could just set things up with a static address for the Mac.

ThanksSmileWavy

That's what I use. You can use DHCP, or do what I do and set up manual IPs as the previous poster said. It's very easy to do. I've got 2 Macbooks wireless connected to my desktop Windows machine (acting as a file server), all connected to broadband. My printer is connected to the PC. Since you're getting a Macbook you may even want to consider getting the new Airport Extreme and enjoy 802.11n wireless speeds (assuming you get "n" wireless cards for your other computers too so they are all at the same speed).

Mac will do just fine. As will a Linux box or two.... In fact, a old (I mean *old* pentium 1 or even 486) machine will run Debian or Slackware just fine to run a small LAN dns server, local email, etc.

Edit - IIRC there are some home user routers that will do dynamic-static addresses - always give a given MAC address (hardcoded hw address) a certain IP, which lets you leave stuff that you actually use elsewhere set to dhcp.