[rtate]

I would like to get into the world of music servers and have the opportunity
to pick up a SB2 for a good price( $70 cad.)
I had been looking mostly at the SB3 until this popped up.

Are there any big differences in SQ or connectivity that I should beware of??
Can both be driven by a laptop from another room??
Thanks in advance!!

[bpape]

Both can be driven from a laptop.
 
The SB2 technically IIRC is almost identical to the SB3 - mostly different aesthetics.  There was an option with the SB2 to be wired or wireless whereas the SB3 is always both.  Just verify for how you plan to use it. 

From a modding standpoint, Wayne always said the 2 was easier as there was more room in the case.

Bryan

[Wayne1]

There are a few differences as far as modding and the circuit routing.

The SB3 has a regulator for the digital buffer/clock circuit that the sB2 does not.

The biggest difference, now, is that Logitech is not supporting the SB2 any more.

That means SB2 specific parts, like the display board and case, are no longer available.

The SB3 has the display directly behind the analog circuitry. The noise from the display may affect the analog outputs.

They both work the same and both can be upgraded, if you choose the follow that path.

[rtate]

By "not supported" do you mean that any further software/firmware updates will not be compatible with the SB2?

Is there parts on the sb2 that are more prone to premature failure compared to the sb3.

My router is a D-Link wireless N. , It looks like the sb2 is wireless-G is that an issue as far as compatibility or speed of data transfer.
I would be using a remotely located laptop to access music on my desktop.

[Wayne1]

By "not supported" do you mean that any further software/firmware updates will not be compatible with the SB2?

Is there parts on the sb2 that are more prone to premature failure compared to the sb3.

My router is a D-Link wireless N. , It looks like the sb2 is wireless-G is that an issue as far as compatibility or speed of data transfer.
I would be using a remotely located laptop to access music on my desktop.

That means SB2 specific parts, like the display board and case, are no longer available.

SlimCenter is compatible with SB2 and SB3 and DUET and Transporter.

Beyond that, I have no clue as to what Logitech will or will not support in the future.

I have had a display that went out on a SB2. No parts avaiable unless another SB2 is cannibalized

Wireless N routers should support wireless G.

[JEaton]

By "not supported" do you mean that any further software/firmware updates will not be compatible with the SB2?

No.  The firmware used is the same for both the SB2 and SB3.  They're functionally identical and you'll often see 'SB2/3' written to describe them taken together.

My router is a D-Link wireless N. , It looks like the sb2 is wireless-G is that an issue as far as compatibility or speed of data transfer.

Should be fine.

The SB3 has a little bit nicer looking case, but my preference is the SB2.  It has a few distinct advantages over the SB3.  The biggest one is that the SB2 has an external antenna (plus an internal one), while the SB3 has two internal antennas.  Wireless reception is generally better with the SB2, as well as being more flexible in that you can orient the antenna a couple different ways, which can enhance signal strength. 

Another advantage is if you want to rebox the SB2, its much easier than with the SB3 and the end result can be a lot better looking.  The SB3 has its screen soldered directly to a logic board, meaning that you're stuck with the "tall and shallow" aspect ratio of a new case, while the SB2s screen is separate.  You can replace the display cable with a longer one and mount the SB2's display further from the main board.  It's just a lot more flexible.

A couple things to be aware of:  The Squeebox2 and the original Squeezebox (often called the Squeezebox 1 or SB1) look identical.  So don't let yourself get hoodwinked into buying an SB1.  The best way to tell them apart is by the label on the bottom, which will say 'Squeezebox2' on the SB2.  Second, the SB2 (and I think also the SB3 at one time) were available in wired ethternet only versions, so make sure it has an external antenna connector if you need wireless connectivity.