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Mallrat · Oct 25, 2003, 01:08 AM

Is getting the bluetooth built in worth it?

what can I use it for?

Using a wireless keyboard and mouse?

Dont a lot of those just use some usb thing that plugs into the usb port?

In order words should I get it built in.

I don't use airport because I don't see what's so great about it.

I mean I have a printer wire, an external mouse wire, an external harddrive wire so what does having no wire for ethernet accomplish?

Yes, I know I can unplug it and surf the net on my couch, but that doesnt' do it for me.

Maybe some day.

Peter · Oct 25, 2003, 06:24 AM

remember that bluetooth built in is either there, or it isnt - you cant install it yourself. Apple is releasing more and more bluetooth stuff. I think its worth it so you can use stuff like Salling Clicker and wireless mice.

Frumpy · Oct 26, 2003, 08:06 PM

Well, technically...if you had bluetooth you could have...a wireless mouse, wireless keyboard, wireless access to your Bluetooth enabled PDA, wireless access to your Bluetooth enabled cell phone...more and more camcorders are being released with Bluetooth...and soon you'll be able to buy printers, scanners, and ANYTHING ELSE that uses USB...using Bluetooth instead. I would say buy it on a new Mac. Any existing ones would need the module that plugs into a USB port, which is OK, but not my personal preference.

acarboni · Oct 26, 2003, 09:06 PM

For me, Bluetooth is more an aesthetics thing than anything else? Why? WIRES. I HATE WIRES.

Bluetooth really doesn't have any advantage over USB, and at times can be finnicky about recognizing/syncing devices. And it's transfer rate when syncing to cell phones and PDAs is noticeably slower than USB in many cases.

But to me, being able to sit down at a desk that doesn't having wires trailing from it in every direction is the most beautiful thing in the world. You can put your printer anywhere in the room you want, instead of taking up precious desk space next to your computer, or keeping it on the floor under your desk and kicking it with your feet. You can have all your devices hooked up without hubs and cords and reaching around your computer to find an empty port.

There's something about a clean, nice-looking workspace that makes anyone more productive. That's where I think bluetooth's strength lies. All these other uses for it are just nifty extras, as far as I'm concerned.

So, I totally believe that spending the extra $49 for bluetooth is well worth it, as long as you're also going to spend the extra cash on the wireless keyboard/mouse/printer, etc. etc.

Anthony

Mallrat · Oct 26, 2003, 10:38 PM

Originally posted by acarboni:
For me, Bluetooth is more an aesthetics thing than anything else? Why? WIRES. I HATE WIRES.

Bluetooth really doesn't have any advantage over USB, and at times can be finnicky about recognizing/syncing devices. And it's transfer rate when syncing to cell phones and PDAs is noticeably slower than USB in many cases.

But to me, being able to sit down at a desk that doesn't having wires trailing from it in every direction is the most beautiful thing in the world. You can put your printer anywhere in the room you want, instead of taking up precious desk space next to your computer, or keeping it on the floor under your desk and kicking it with your feet. You can have all your devices hooked up without hubs and cords and reaching around your computer to find an empty port.

There's something about a clean, nice-looking workspace that makes anyone more productive. That's where I think bluetooth's strength lies. All these other uses for it are just nifty extras, as far as I'm concerned.

So, I totally believe that spending the extra $49 for bluetooth is well worth it, as long as you're also going to spend the extra cash on the wireless keyboard/mouse/printer, etc. etc.

Anthony

Bluetooth printers. I didn't know that. I mean it makes sense. Are there any of those out there yet?

acarboni · Oct 27, 2003, 12:01 AM

Originally posted by rushmore:
Bluetooth printers. I didn't know that. I mean it makes sense. Are there any of those out there yet?

As far as I know, there aren't any available yet. Right now, bluetooth printing is done with a USB printer and a bluetooth USB printer adapter, like the one found here: http://www.mpitech.com/bpa/

Which gets two reactions from me at the same time:

1) Eeeewwww... adapters. That's not very cutting-edge, is it?

2) Woo hoo! I don't have to buy a whole new printer!

And so far a search on "bluetooth scanner" brings up a bunch of barcode price scanners. I can't imagine we're more than a year off, though.