techie question: new laptop

[lobelia321]

I have a question and would be grateful for any comments, suggestions, words of wisdom, sharings of experience, techtalk.

T'h is moving his office into t'home. So he needs a new computer, a laptop. At work, he has a Mac with OSX on it, except he's disabled X because he hates it (I sympathise) and has had someone upload OS9. At home, we need a compatible laptop of some sort (an ibook?) that will understand OS9. Also, how can you hook the thing up to the internet without using a cable? Isn't there some whizz gizmo for this, and where do you buy it and what should one look out for?

Finally, where can one get a computer cheaper than in the high street store? This question is particularly directed at peeps in the UK!

Thanks so much, everyone! Main aim is: to prevent t'h from poaching on my computer because his won't work or was too expensive to buy and is therefore non-existent!

Comments

[ex-songbirds864.livejournal.com]

Most iBooks have "airport" which is wireless internet. You just need a wireless router. You dont need a mac one, any brand should work.

[bunnysquee.livejournal.com]

when you look for a wireless router, you might want to check with your isp. i got a generic one but my isp did something to their service so that i could only use their own wireless router, which caused a lot of unnecessary frustration.

[birdgerhl.livejournal.com]

i could be wrong but i have a suspicion that wireless gadget drivers may only work with OSX. as well as a router you'll also need a wireless card or USB plug-in doodah if the laptop doesn't come with one installed (off the top of my head, i don't know if a wireless card is now standard - my own i-book didn't have one when i bought it).

embrace OSX! i was so loathe to switch over but it is honestly so much more stable and adaptable. the current version of OSX is also a vast improvement on the earlier versions.

there's no need to pay high street prices! you're working in education, aren't you? contact your nearest apple centre and enquire about their educational rates, they may already have a deal with your institution or you may just need to provide proof that you're working in that field.

b.x :)

[msilverstar]

I agree! The first versions of X sucked, but the current one works quite well.

[2am-optimism.livejournal.com]

If you're in the UK, Dabs Direct (http://www.dabs.com/uk) is one of the cheapest places to get computer stuff online - they're usually a *lot* more reasonable than any of the high street stores. That being said, I'm a PC rather than a Mac user, but it's worth a try

[travelingcarrot.livejournal.com]

I think the apple airport is a great little router anyway, even if you don't use macs. Do you have to have a new laptop or could you get a reconditioned one?