1 Topic by tycoonman1

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Topic: Cheap netbook to run printer

I'm just wondering what most of you use to control your printer? I'm considering finding a cheap Windows or Linux netbook (Intel Atom, most likely) to use exclusively with the printer. This way I can keep it compact and in a closet, away from people who are annoyed by the sound and moving air (as I don't have an enclosure).

I imagine slicing software and Repetier host use very little processing power and the Atom and LOW end graphics would be more than enough.

Is there any huge flaw with this plan that I should know about? Repetier sucks on Linux, etc.? Other inexpensive ways to  easily (no SD card mod) get the printer in a closet?

2 Reply by rjp350z

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Re: Cheap netbook to run printer

I just got done installing WIN 8 on my Acer one netbook.  As soon as updates are done and I get repetier installed will be testing it out.

3 Reply by Claghorn

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Re: Cheap netbook to run printer

I'm using RH and linux all the time, and not only doesn't it suck, you can do some clever tricks with UDEV to make things more automatic:

http://home.comcast.net/~tomhorsley/har … -udev.html

Claghorn's Website

4 Reply by justsomeguy

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Re: Cheap netbook to run printer

I've printed from a crappy Atom netbook running XP and also from an old eeepc 701 running linux.  That thing has the power of an old Pentium 933 I believe.  I would hate to slice anything large on either but both can run Repetier fine.  Another thing to think about is screen resolution.  The eepc is 800 X 480 not leaving a lot of screen to work with.

5 Reply by tycoonman1

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Re: Cheap netbook to run printer

Does slicing large files freeze/crash the program on the Atom, or does it just take a long time?

6 Reply by IanJohnson

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Re: Cheap netbook to run printer

It takes a long time.  I was using an Atom based nettop (Asus Revo) to run the printer, and slicing simple things took several times longer than on a Core2Duo laptop.

7 Reply by tycoonman1

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Re: Cheap netbook to run printer

This is good news. Slicing time isn't a huge deal. I'll be sweeping Slickdeals for a cheapo netbook.

8 Reply by pcm81

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Re: Cheap netbook to run printer

I have raspberry pi running repetier server under raspbian to control the printer. I slice on my main machine and upload gcode to rapsbery pi repetier server via http.

9 Reply by grob

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Re: Cheap netbook to run printer

pcm81 wrote:

I have raspberry pi running repetier server under raspbian to control the printer. I slice on my main machine and upload gcode to rapsbery pi repetier server via http.

Totally found a use for my third pi... smile

SD3. Mk2b + glass, heated enclosure, GT2 belts, direct drive y shaft, linear bearings, bowden-feed E3D v5 w/ 0.9° stepper
Smoothieboard via Octoprint on RPi

10 Reply by wire10ga

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Re: Cheap netbook to run printer

Dang!  Now i got to be me a pi as well.

SD2 - Glass Bed, Fans on PCB and Y motor, Custom enclosure
Slicer - Simplify3D

wire10ga's Website

11 Reply by jabba400

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Re: Cheap netbook to run printer

Started off with a Dell Netbook running XP, slicing and printing from SD cards and USB (internal drive is only 8Gb and pretty much blown by windows install).

Found that slicing was slow, and that large prints would often freeze part way through (leaving hot end in printed plastic, much burny smell and clogged hot end stuff).

Netbook is now sharing host for 1TB drive and home printer, and Dell Optiplex 280 (also XP) now 3d printer driver.  Much faster slicing and no print jams yet (touch wood).

12 Reply by fyi

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Re: Cheap netbook to run printer

pcm81 wrote:

I have raspberry pi running repetier server under raspbian to control the printer. I slice on my main machine and upload gcode to rapsbery pi repetier server via htp.

I'm interested in using a Raspberry Pi as well. I currently control my SD2 via an old Xi3 5A machine (impulse buy from CES two years ago) running Win7, Repetier and Dropbox (to transfer files). Control it via TeamViewer. It's a pretty compact machine, so I designed a custom enclosure and mount so it's attached to my printer.

In terms of specs: Dual-core AMD Athlon 64 X2 3400e @ 1.8 GHz, 2 GB RAM & 16 GB SSD. Not great for much, but it works for this.

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