There are two primary reasons to network a PS3 gaming console and a laptop. The first is an Internet connection--you may want to allow your PS3 to access the Internet using the connection on your laptop, especially if your laptop has the Internet connection card. The second is to transfer data. PS3s can hold many different kinds of media, and you may want to transfer files back and forth from it and your laptop for easier media management.

Via Cable

Make sure both your laptop and your PS3 have Internet connection capabilities and are ready to go online. Connecting a PS3 directly to a laptop is difficult, so if you have a router that you can use as an adapter between the PS3 and the laptop, use it to manage the connection with Ethernet cables. If you do not have a wired router, than try connecting your laptop using a crossover Ethernet cable, which is designed to bridge two different devices. From there, most of the work takes place on your laptop. Specify that you want to create an "Internet sharing" network and choose the automatic and scanning options to detect the PS3 and transfer information. At this point, the networking works the same as using a wireless connection. On a PC, you can use the Media Sharing function on Windows Media Library settings to share music and video files with your PS3. Macs have a number of similar programs that allow for different kinds of file transfers. Make sure your PS3 has the proper updates required to share such data and that your laptop has sharing capabilities.

Via Wireless

The easiest way to set up a wireless connection with your laptop is by using a wireless router. This router turns the incoming Internal signal into a wireless transmission that both your PS3 and laptop can access. Once both devices are on the same network, you can direct your laptop to share files or use media share capabilities to exchange information with your PS3. Make sure both are in fact connected to the same network and that any firewalls that may be preventing the connection are temporarily disabled. If you do not have a router, attempt to make your laptop a remote access point and establish a one-on-one connection that allows the PS3 to access the laptop directly and use its Internet signal to transmit information. Both your laptop and your PS3 need to be fully updated and have access to the same system information.

Other Options

It is also possible to transfer data using a jump drive, which you must switch back and forth from the USB ports in your laptop and PS3. This is a slow method of exchanging data, but it works with smaller files. If you have an external hard drive, use it as a go-between to exchange much larger amounts of information.

Source:

Ask About Tech: Wireless PS3 Direct To Laptop

Absolute Playstation Network: PS3 to Laptop Connection Question

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