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General discussion

Question about Powerbooks and wireless printer capabilities.

Nov 8, 2005 1:16PM PST

Hi, my girlfriend is a graphic arts student at college ands is looking to invest in a new powerbook and a new printer in the next few months.

I have read that there are plenty of printers avaliable that have bluetooth technology and that the Apple computers have bluetooth as well. Can she printer wirelessly from her laptop to a bluetooth enabled printer without having to hookup the printer?

I have also read about the airport express and its capabilities. However, that seems more for any printer to simply plug into plus we already have a wireless network setup. The airport express is quite expensive as well.

Thanks for any help.

Discussion is locked

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Bluetooth
Nov 8, 2005 8:52PM PST

is neat but when it comes to printers, it can be S L O W .
I know of a few for whom the idea of wireless printing was wonderful. In practice, they used it for a while and then went back to the USB cable because of the time it took to send anything to the printer.
This was only this year, and the printer was new, so unless Bluetooth has undergone some speed increases, it may still be slow for you. Especially given your girlfriends field of study.
Airport Express would increase the area coverage of your existing wireless network and would also enable you to stream iTunes, if required.

Hope some of this helps

P

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Can I use airport express with my exisitng wireless network
Nov 9, 2005 1:47AM PST

Thanks a lot.

My biggest concern with the airport system is cost. From readin I would need an airport base station and then an airport express to exent the functionality an range. Can I use airport express with my existing wireless router and netowrk? I currently have a D-Link 524g.

I have also been reading that many of the Apple laptops have airport built in. I am sort of confused on this as some people have said that the laptop itself can be used as a wireless router/bases station with this airport functionality, while other people have told me it is just wireless capabilties that all notebooks have these days.

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Instant Answer is:
Nov 9, 2005 2:39AM PST

Laptops with Airport Extreme cards installed can be used as a "software" base station with most of the functions of a Hardward base station.
They do not have to be used in this manner. The laptop can be used as just another wireless client on a network.

I'll look into the Airport Express with third party Wireless networks and get back with you


P

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Looks like it will work
Nov 9, 2005 7:59AM PST

It may take a little work but if you decide to go this route, let us know and I point you at a place that has instructions on how to do this with a D-Link router

P