Gcontrol Panel Computer

Community Discussion đź“„ General
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Hello! After a LONG LIFE, I believe my 2011 MacBook Pro has finally died. The unfortunate part is the computer controlled GSender for me. After the failure, I loaded GSender onto my design laptop. While it does work and work reasonably well, I like having access to my design computer while my CNC is running.

So, I am in the market for a new controller computer. I COULD buy a 2018 MacBook Pro used OR I could purchase the gControl Panel Computer for about the same money.

It says that the initial 50 were shipped out, I’m wondering how people are liking their new computer.

In the meantime, I am planning an epic destruction for my trusty MacBook Pro.:clown_face::clown_face::joy::grin::sunglasses:

Thanks!
Jake

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I don’t want to discourage you from getting a gControl panel computer, but if you are used to a Mac, then you might consider picking up a used M1 MacBook Air. They go for less than what a gControl panel costs and are surprisingly fast little computers.

I found a 13 inch M1 Air with 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD on Facebook Marketplace in my area for $260. It has a few minor cosmetic scratches. I might have to get it.

If you need a larger screen then a MacBook Pro or 15 inch M2 MacBook Air would be the way to go.

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I’m happy with the gControl but here is why. I only own 1 other Windows computer but having the gControl allows me to also load Vectric onto it so I can do anything CNC related right there at the machine.

I also upgraded the RAM on it though just to be safe - and still have my other Windows machine where I do most of my design/setup but can make tweaks and such on the gControl (or all of it).

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Thanks @jaydillyo & @whitewolf! I love my Macs for sure. Where else can you get a laptop in 2011 and have it work reliably till a week ago?

The only Windows based computer I own is my design computer. The only reason is I wasn’t fond of running windows in a Mac. I did try it, but wasn’t impressed. Vectric, as everyone knows, only runs on Windows.

Time to hit marketplace and eBay and see what I can find. I can always buy a Sienci computer if I don’t find anything.

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Jake, can you elaborate on how your old macy ended her life? Was she limping for a while - getting worse and worse over time, did she die while doing her job, did she simply die in her sleep and didn’t return to work one day or did she smokealot and that was it?

What’s the story?

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Hey @Spamming_Eddie !
You asked, so here is my satire filled eulogy!:clown_face::pray:

I got my MBP in August of 2011. To protect my first Mac, I got a Pelican Case for it. $2200 was a heck of a lot of money then and now. It was amazingly fast and intuitive compared to a Windows laptop. But I suffered being a Mac guy in a Windows world.

My trusted MacBook Pro nearly died in 2017 when the integrated video card failed. But there was an “extended warranty” that covered it. They put in a new motherboard and it was as good as new. It was one of my prized possessions.

Knowing it was long in the tooth, I bought a new MacBook Pro in 2020, after using it daily for 9 years! I wiped it, and at that time it had some value, was planning on selling it. My bride said no, she was going to use it, so it sat downstairs, unused, until 2022. I dusted it off, loaded GSender and it continued to be used as my control computer and my music streaming machine ever since . I have an equally antiquated Apple TV hooked up to a 20 yr old Sony receiver that I rock out with in the shop.

Fast forward to November, it refused to wake up from a well deserved slumber. Searching feverishly to find a solution, I found to unplug, let the life drain out, then charge and turn on. That worked well until a week ago when I tried that and nothing happened. I did attempt to reinstall the obsolete operating system before my tear laden original post thinking it I was an OS issue but despite my efforts, I believe the end has come. My memorial service will be with my scrap wood in my burn pile. I’ll post before and after pics. Thought about taking it to the gun range, but for some reason I quickly dismissed that idea.

Rest assured, no carves were compromised or harmed during its slow, final death. I still attempt to restart it every time I’m out in the shop, but to no avail. Part of the grieving experience I think. That laptop has been trusty and dependable for 13 years! Unheard of in our disposable society.

In the meantime, I’m using my design computer as my control computer. Kinda strange, but also quite effective. I am hesitant to do any designing while carving though. Heck, I don’t even surf the internet while it’s carving.

As I wipe the tears from my tablet, I must go have a cup of coffee. May my trusted laptop rest easy!

Have not bought a replacement yet. Hard to part with 300.00 for a 4-6 year old MacBook that may not have lead a sheltered life like my 2011 Mac. I haven’t explored using my 2020 MBP for a control computer and replacing it. I don’t know how expensive a replacement would be new, plus it’s overkill.

Once again, happy new year to you and yours!

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Hey Jake,

I’ve looked a bit into the specs of the 2011 macbook thingy and it seems it has an 60W ac transformer, meaning the actual dc conversion is done inside the computer.

Since I take it’s a flat device, so it prolly uses surface mounted capacitors behind a traditional diode bridge to convert the ac into a dc charging voltage for the battery.

I think the problem with your trusty cnc pc isn’t so much the computer part but more a problem with these capacitors being done with it. Before you thrash it, it might be worth to have it looked at by your local neighborhood nerd, keen to earn a quick tenner.

I feel it might be a quick fix.

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Hello! I think my issue is the hard drive is bad. My problem is I don’t want to put more money into something of that vintage. Now I’m stuck trying to decide on another MBP used, a Panasonic tough book or a Sienci Labs computer. All have their positives. All at about the same cost too.

Decisions, decisions.

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I am really enjoying the gControl panel computer. I do my designs on a one year old windows 11 notebook with Vcarve desktop. I have been running my CNC with gSender on a 14 year old windows 11 laptop. The new gcontrol panel computer is sealed to keep out the dust, is mounted on a post and arm for easy positioning, and is touchscreen so no mouse or keyboard. I no longer need a side platform for the computer or mouse. Of course it is so much faster than the old laptop to start up and load that I don’t hesitate to slip into the shop and carve even a small project. I have no experience with Mac computers so I can’t make any comparisons.

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Thank you @ADB8056 ! That is exactly the type of review I was hoping for! I read all the information on the Sienci computer and it seems like a nice machine.

I purchased a refurbished Windows 11 laptop when I started this journey for running VCarve Pro. I dug out an old 21” monitor and it allows me to view the screen with my old eyes much better.

In a FINAL attempt to resuscitate my trusty Mac, I ordered a cheap SSD hard drive with a 30 day rerun for any reason. If I can get an OS on it, it just may run a while longer.

Once again, thank you Donald, I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

Jake

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I was looking into alternatives as well.
when I asked Ai it suggested using a HP t640 (or t740) fanless thin client, as its Completely fanless, solid‑state, small, VESA-mountable. Runs Linux or Windows 10. so maybe if i could find a used one. not sure its worth the hassle.