Can I connect laptops with an ehternet cable or USB

[Guest]

Hello,
How can I connect a mini to a full laptop in order to use the big laptop's optical drive? Or can I not?

 

[The_Prophecy]

You could always mark the optical drive as a network share and connect to it over the network, without have to mess with any cables...

It will probably be a little slower (unless both computers have wireless N network adapters) than connecting the drive directly to the desired system, but it should still do the trick.

 

[Jonmor68]

Have you thought of transfering the contents of the cd/dvd onto a usb stick for use on your mini.

 

[LePhuronn]

and if you don't have a router or hub or anything you can use a crossover ethernet cable and connect the two network ports directly for a bit of peer-to-peer action.

http://www.makeitsimple.com/how-to/simple.htm

A VERY old guide (like 12 years old) but the principles are still exactly the same.