Possible new Mac convert with questions

[Blue-ThirtyTwo]

So I'm a current PC owner thinking really hard about the MBA. But I've got a few questions...

1) Installing software via the remote disk from another computer...does that require a wireless network that is already setup in the house? (I only need to install MS Office for Mac, and I dont wanna buy the $100 drive just for that)

I plan on installing the wireless network in my place via the Airport Express or Extreme...

2) Will the Express/Extreme still allow a hard wire ethernet connection to my desktop?

3) As for the initial Airport setup, I read that you need, or makes it easier if you install Airport Utility...again requires a disk right.

So I guess my problem is how would I go about setting up a wireless connection and installing Office for Mac without the optical drive?

And one last question, will the MBA pick up and use wireless internet connections right out of the box assuming I have the password or am using a free connection?

Thanks for helping me break out of the Gates paradigm.

 

[prophetx2]

Re:

So I'm a current PC owner thinking really hard about the MBA. But I've got a few questions...

1) Installing software via the remote disk from another computer...does that require a wireless network that is already setup in the house? (I only need to install MS Office for Mac, and I dont wanna buy the $100 drive just for that)

Remote mounting works just fine. You probably wont' miss the disk drive...ever.

I plan on installing the wireless network in my place via the Airport Express or Extreme...


2) Will the Express/Extreme still allow a hard wire ethernet connection to my desktop?

Yes/No. You will need a switch for just the Express if you plan on connecting your internet connection to the express unit. So switch + airport express. If you buy the extreme base, you will be fine without the switch.

3) As for the initial Airport setup, I read that you need, or makes it easier if you install Airport Utility...again requires a disk right.

Nope that is part of Leopard I believe.

So I guess my problem is how would I go about setting up a wireless connection and installing Office for Mac without the optical drive?

And one last question, will the MBA pick up and use wireless internet connections right out of the box assuming I have the password or am using a free connection?

Yes, you get a list of available connections that auto pops up if it doesn't have a fav connection detected.

 

[iToaster]

The remote disk feature is a little slower than a wired drive, but in this case, it makes no difference, especially at the cost of the disk drive. The Airport Extreme allows for wired connections to go out of it, where the Airport Express has a single ethernet port so you won't be able to get that to work with your desktop easily. Airport utility is included in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder on your Mac. Finally, yes, the MacBook Air will detect wireless connections when you're setting it up, you can choose one to join, but if you want to setup an Airport Extreme or Express for your network, you can either do it from your desktop or set it up after you've completed setting up your Mac.

 

[Blue-ThirtyTwo]

Sweet...

thanks for the help. I am slowly convincing myself to purchase the MBA, and when I do I'll be back with more questions I'm sure.

Thanks again.