[gambo]

I've had a imac and just bought a macbook i'd like to be able to browse my macbook or imac when at home ( away would be cool too). right now i can only use bluetooth to send a file if i try to browse my macbook it says "device does not have necessary services" What services do i need?

[dowNNshift]

Your best bet is to use AFP, Apple File Protocol via TCP/IP over Ethernet or AirPort.

First, you'll need either two Ethernet cables (Cat5e) connected to a wired router, or an AirPort Base Station. Configure for use with DHCP in your Network Preferences on both Macs.

To enable file sharing on both Macs, open System Preferences >>> Sharing >>> Services tab, then click on Personal File Sharing. Now Bonjour will automatically seek out other Macs on your Local Area Network subnet.

Then to access actual files, using the Finder click on the network icon and seek out your other Mac.

Couldn't get any easier!

[Thinine]

Why do you need a router? Just hook the machines together using an ethernet cable, setting one to share. That will just work.

(Macs have had auto-negotiating ethernet ports for nearly a decade now. You don't need a router/crossover cable.)

[ghporter]

Not all Macs have had autosensing ethernet ports for that long-some have only had them for a couple of years.

If the main purpose is simply to share files between the two computers, Thinine's remark about routers is correct. However, since most people ALSO want to share an Internet connection, AND don't want to worry about manually assigning IP addresses, AND want to "just work" with their computers instead of fiddling around with more than is absolutely necessary, suggesting an inexpensive router as part of a simple networking solution is quite appropriate. You can find usable wired routers for as little as $30 if you shop around, and even better prices if your timing is right (I once bought a SpeedStream router for a little over $8 after a $20 rebate). Further, ANY router will work-there's no "Mac router" versus "PC router" issue involved, since almost all networking is standards based. If you're absolutely addicted to AppleTalk, you may be stuck (it's an Apple standard, but not an IEEE standard), but otherwise, everything you need for file sharing, network printing, Internet connection sharing, etc. is right there in an inexpensive box.