I am looking to allow both laptops to access the information held on the external hard drive as well as applications. Can i install applications on the external HDD and then access them from each laptop? I also need the printer to be used by both, and i need both laptops to have constant access to the internet. I am trying to do this cheaply but realise there may be some new hardware required, in the near future there will be 2 or more laptops also needing access to the External HDD, printer and internet. Anyone any ideas?