small home network

I am helping a friend install a small home network. They seem to be
okay with a wired network today and will consider adding wireless
later. The basic config is two PCs and a Mac want to share a DSL
connection and each others printers. No web server or Internet gaming
is envisioned.

The D-link DI-604 ($35) appears to do the trick. If they upgrade to
the D-link DI-704P ($52) they get a printer port.

Will the Mac be able to communicate with the printer port? Or will it
be happier talking to one of the PCs to get to the printer?

Any opinions on D-link gear? I built my network a while ago with SMC
and am very happy. Recent posts have stated that SMC has really lost
it's edge. Should I be looking at Linksys, Buffalo, Netgear ?

I assume for the $35 they will have a functional device but no bells
and whistles, like Stateful Inspection. Are other important features
missing? Will we regret getting this entry level device? Is there
something much better in the $100 or less price range?

Thanks in advance.

Tired Techie

"tired techie" <email383.RemoveThis@aol.com> wrote in message
news:52ee00a3.0309251856.3b6ebe78@posting.google.com...
 > I am helping a friend install a small home network. They seem to be
 > okay with a wired network today and will consider adding wireless
 > later. The basic config is two PCs and a Mac want to share a DSL
 > connection and each others printers. No web server or Internet gaming
 > is envisioned.
 >
 > The D-link DI-604 ($35) appears to do the trick. If they upgrade to
 > the D-link DI-704P ($52) they get a printer port.
 >
 > Will the Mac be able to communicate with the printer port? Or will it
 > be happier talking to one of the PCs to get to the printer?
 >
 > Any opinions on D-link gear? I built my network a while ago with SMC
 > and am very happy. Recent posts have stated that SMC has really lost
 > it's edge. Should I be looking at Linksys, Buffalo, Netgear ?
....

I use a D-Link DI-604 to network 4 PCs at home and give them each access to
my DSL connection. Works like a charm. I highly recommend the DI-604,
especially given the price. }


--
Dan (Woj...) dmaster (at) lucent (dot) com

"When children have to play inside so they don't disappear
While private eyes solve marriage lies cause we dont talk for years
And football teams are kissing queens and losing sight of having dreams
In a world where all we want is only what we want until it's ours"<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->