Computer requirements for M2
Computer requirements for M2
Can anyone recommend a decent desktop computer for my M2 ? How about a laptop ?
Re: Computer requirements for M2
(assuming this isn't a spam post...)
Really any modern machine will work for printing. The technical grunt is required when making the parts themselves, once the printing starts it's pretty hands-off. If you're running on 8-10 year old hardware you may want to save to an SD card and print that way -- your M2 will support that out of the box.
Laptops DO work, but you need to disable the power-saving features so they don't go to sleep midway through the print.
If you can buy it for $300 at Walmart it's probably going to work fine.
Really any modern machine will work for printing. The technical grunt is required when making the parts themselves, once the printing starts it's pretty hands-off. If you're running on 8-10 year old hardware you may want to save to an SD card and print that way -- your M2 will support that out of the box.
Laptops DO work, but you need to disable the power-saving features so they don't go to sleep midway through the print.
If you can buy it for $300 at Walmart it's probably going to work fine.
Custom 3D printing for you or your business -- quote [at] pingring.org
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willnewton
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Re: Computer requirements for M2
Do you need one for designing? You can use about anything that is a couple of years old.
Need one for running the printer? You can use about anything that is a decade old or a Raspberry Pi with Octoprint or just an SD card.
You thinking Mac or Windows? My studio runs 95% on Mac Minis of various vintages. I just happen to also have a decent PC that I use as well for one 3d printer/laser cutter because my laser software needs a PC and I had one around.
Most of your 3d printing needs can be met with very affordable computing power, using about any OS. If you are doing very high end design/rendering/animation then you will need more horsepower. Laptops work fine.
Need one for running the printer? You can use about anything that is a decade old or a Raspberry Pi with Octoprint or just an SD card.
You thinking Mac or Windows? My studio runs 95% on Mac Minis of various vintages. I just happen to also have a decent PC that I use as well for one 3d printer/laser cutter because my laser software needs a PC and I had one around.
Most of your 3d printing needs can be met with very affordable computing power, using about any OS. If you are doing very high end design/rendering/animation then you will need more horsepower. Laptops work fine.
I'm finally back to where I started two days ago!
A thread with some stuff in it I update every once in a while. viewtopic.php?f=8&t=9
See some of my stuff http://www.thingiverse.com/willnewton/favorites
A thread with some stuff in it I update every once in a while. viewtopic.php?f=8&t=9
See some of my stuff http://www.thingiverse.com/willnewton/favorites
Re: Computer requirements for M2
If it's just for the printing, I recommend a Raspberry Pi with OctoPi. Total cost about $50. You just use the web interface to upload your gcode files to it and tell it to print. You can put a webcam on it and print from anywhere (technically).
I use it to print from my office to my printer (which is in my garage) without having to get up and go in there (unless I need to change spools or something).
https://octopi.octoprint.org/
I use it to print from my office to my printer (which is in my garage) without having to get up and go in there (unless I need to change spools or something).
https://octopi.octoprint.org/