RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?
You can cut-off the internet and print with the USB-drive - no problem at all.
RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?
There are many kinds of "security." If you are worried that someone will intercept the data on the Internet, to and from Bambu, that is no longer a problem. Its encrypted like bank data or most data out there today. If you are worried that your models can be looked at in China because they are on a Chinese server, that is a problem that can be avoided in "LAN" mode, but then the question becomes, how secure is your LAN. If you don't want either of these, you can put your models on an SD card and walk them to a printer. With the X1C, everything is spelled out on the display. With the P1S, its harder to watch, but it still works fine. Unless your a business with secret models or the military, I personally wouldn't worry about using the Internet.
RE:
[...] The slicer is far too bloated in my opinion, fewer setting options would be better and would mean more transparency and less susceptibility to errors.[...]
Just in case you don't know: there are different modes in prusa slicer, expert mode shows everything option but you can also selected?standard? Mode which Limits available options to essential ones
RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?
Yes, there are different levels of security.
The question still comes down to what features are lost with only LAN or USB mode. Originally, there were many features that seemed to disappear if you didn't use the cloud. Some people are very concerned about anything Chinese. Even though most electronic items are partially or fully Chinese. Supplying personal data is another issue. As the link states, Bambu has improved their security. I do worry about the internet from what I have witnessed.
RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?
I think its the obvious. If you only connect to you printer with a SD Card, like I said, to control your printer you will need to use the front panel, so no PC or Mac or mobile phone. If you use LAN mode, and your computer is on a LAN, then you can control it on your LAN, but that is it. No mobile phone over the cellular network. Want to use use your phone from everywhere? Then you need to use regular Internet mode. Prusa printers are no different.
RE:
After some serious thought I ordered another A1 Mini Combo while they are still on sale for $100 off. My first order will arrive today. 😋 After reading a lot of reviews it seemed like a no brainer to buy the first one but there are so many possibilities with having 2 of them as far as colors go. And even with single color prints you could choose from 8 different colors and quickly print something out. Hardened steel nozzles are reasonably priced and spare parts are too. The only thing I don't like is no ethernet cable port for a hard wired system. They even come with a built-in camera but there is a mod for adding a better one. The nozzle changes are too simple and quick. I still love my MK4 but the multicolor thing is an expensive upgrade when done in pieces as I bought the first MMU as a kit, and the upgrade as a kit and now I even bought the 3rd upgrade as a kit and haven't even built it yet. Easier to get something that just works.