calling all nerds and people that live at home

[words_run_dry]

i will be living at home full-time in a month.

currently, my dad doesn't even have a computer.

when i go to live with him, i'll be setting up my desktop.

in addition, i hope to purchase a mac once i get a job and my shit together (around august?)

i will need internet access for at least one, but most likely both.

i guess i'll need wireless for the

Comments

[colorwhirl]

Your question isn't really what you are asking.

What you should be asking should be split this way:

What is a good internet service in Philly? I want something cheap but sorta fast.

What wireless router should I get to network both a Mac and a PC?

Also, Mac laptop? That shit's not cheap. If you must have a Mac, the Mac Minis are probably a better idea.

[colorwhirl]

And to answer my own (rephrased) questions, I loved Speakeasy DSL, but you'll probably have better luck with Verizon DSL (if he has landline phone), Comcast Cable (if he gets cable via Comcast), or Cavalier DSL.

As for routers, I love Netgear. Most of their products are really easy to use and work well on a mixed Mac/PC network. (I've run such a network on a Netgear router. It was good for both of us.)

If you're going to start with just a desktop, skip the router and just use the cable or DSL modem that your ISP provides/rents you. Then, when you get a laptop that has wireless capabilities, spring for a wireless router at that point.

[words_run_dry]

thanks for giving me/answering the right questions!

and i'm not happy about the price but i've been saving up for two years and it's going to be my graduation present to myself. what i mean by not having a lot of money is that i don't feel like paying 100 bucks every month for internet access.

so, services and routers are different? he has comcast cable so i'm going to ask him to look into that, but i heard that they're connected in suck a way that if one goes out, the other does too. that true?

and i guess services are different than routers?

[colorwhirl]

what i mean by not having a lot of money is that i don't feel like paying 100 bucks every month for internet access.

High-speed internet isn't cheap. I think I paid $40 a month for my Verizon, and I paid $60 a month for my Speakeasy. I've never had Comcast in Philly so I don't know, but you can always price it out based on your dad's address.

The speed difference between DSL and cable is barely perceptible to the average user. Unless you seed 20+ torrents a week, you probably won't notice the difference so pick the one that your budget likes better.

so, services and routers are different?

Yep! Service (ISP) makes the internet go. Routers make the wireless go. You need the service to make the internet happen, but you don't need a router until you buy the laptop unless you have a magical and/or otherwise well-connected desktop.

he has comcast cable so i'm going to ask him to look into that, but i heard that they're connected in suck a way that if one goes out, the other does too. that true?Also true, but that's true for DSL and

[liketheyare]

Verizon DSL comes with a wireless router/ modem. I pay 36.50 a month for it and it does the job but craps out in bad weather. Verizon also has multiple price points for DSL.