I'm not sure what this was exactly, but it was about 13", quite slim and very shiny. It had 2 USB ports, a few other funny shaped holes and no network socket.

Anyone know how you're supposed to plug it in? Three people couldn't figure it out, so currently data is being transferred via a 3g dongle at about 20Kbps and going to cost a fortune...

And no, they don't have a flash memory stick. Also it's Sunday and the shops are shut.

If it's a new model one, it's the socket next to the power supply.
If it's the Air, then you're [LIFTED] out of luck. Wifi or copy via USB stick/SD card.

(changes mind)

If you have a 'normal' PC/Mac on ethernet which also has a wifi card, you could use that to share the internet to the Macbook via wifi.

As an aide, if you're running Lion, go to Apple menu - about this mac - More info... and it will tell you exactly what model it is.

Jon

If you've got lots of sockets down the left hand side then it's the one near the power input.

If you've got an Air then you're stuck with wireless.

Thanks, I'll probably be back there soon enough so I'll follow your advice. I'm thinking it's an Air because I know it's quite new, although much thicker than I would have expected. I'll be sure to take a USB memory stick just in case.

I'm just slightly in shock that any laptop made in the last decade wouldn't have a standard RJ45 shaped hole on it. The poor girl was basically turned into a leper by her her lack of connectivity.

If I do get it on the network, expect questions about accessing Window's shares

I think there is a USB Ethernet socked available.

Yes, you can get an adapter, but I don't think he's got one by the sound of things.

Indeed she didn't have one (you'd think it would come with one in the box?), and as I said the shops are all shut. I was kinda hoping someone would say "it's hidden under a flap" or something.

Anyway, when I left they were transferring files via Skype over gsm. It wasn't going very quickly, but quicker than waiting for an adaptor to arrive in the post.

They should, like, get wifi or something.

that was my first thought to.

Either that or boot it in target mode and plug it into the pc using a USB cable and just browse onto it from the pc.

ooh, you can use it like a big memory stick? I didn't know that!

Unfortunately they're not going to have a USB A - A lead but it's interesting to know.

It does sound like it's a Macbook Air, which as the name suggests is designed around WiFi connectivity. As suggested, there's a USB-to-Ethernet adapter, but this uses one of the limited number of USB ports.

Other options, as well as via a Wi-Fi router, are...

• Bluetooth - use the "Bluetooth File Exchange" (in Utilities folder) to move files between another Bluetooth device. This assumes the other device (PC, other Mac, mobile phone) has Bluetooth of course.

• USB stick, of course!

• Use the Macbook to create an ad-hock Computer-to-Computer wireless network, see below...

Under the Airport icon at the top of the menu bar, select "Create Network":


Give the network a name, click the "Require password" tick box if you want it secure, although I think it only offers WEP (better than nothing I suppose!)...


You should then be able to connect directly to the Macbook via wireless. You'll probably be connecting to the "Public" folder within the Home folder on the Macbook, they'll copy stuff into the "Drop Box" folder within the Public folder. This method doesn't require a wireless router to act as an in between stage, the Airport card in the Mac acts as the router for other devices to connect wirelessly.

Thanks Steve, that's pretty comprehensive.

I think we can consider my question answered now!

I didn't think you could use Target Disk Mode over USB, only Firewire and Thunderbolt. Might have changed recently though.

Jon