Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?  

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

Is that still the case? I thought they allow local slice/print now?

I thought it was only possible using the Cloud service immediately after launch?

If they don't allow it, the BambuLab printers are nothing for me; also if they only work using their own apps.

(Trying to decide between a P1P/X1C and the MK4 kit for one week now…)

Posted by: @nikolai

My first thought is always: Do I trust the company, not the government. They made a decision not to allow local slice/print. Why? Do they want to use it for internal things or maybe selling it to other parties? 

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

Not all people care about DSGVO or data privacy to in Europe. But those who, have more legal means to protect themselves. That said, it is a good question if the data transfer to Chinese clouds might be problematic. Given that it is print files and not loads of personal data it might be less critical in regards to the DSGVO. 

For me personally, such a cloud is an absolute no-go but I am from the crazy group of self sourced modded Voron builders anyway. Once it is all set up and dialed in and all macros optimized, a Voron is really pretty much as plug and print as an X1 or an Mk4, but it is a very different target group nonetheless. I will build mine as Wifi only, no display machine. Basically if it were to leave its place, one could not even use it without opening the electronics bay, getting out the Pi's micro-SD, rewriting some files on it for the correct Wifi-access and returning it afterwards again. No commercial printer could afford such an arcane procedure. 

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

They could easily open their own "things portal" because they're getting all the things for free and an endless stream of new things.

Do they say anywhere that they will NOT do this?

If they do not explicitly rule this out in their terms, i expect that they will do it 😕  

They took open source software and tried to present it as their own development.

Why should they not reuse your STL files and present them on their "Bambu-printables"

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

Posted by: @whterbt

Is that still the case? I thought they allow local slice/print now?

Kind of ...

1. A print file will be transferred to printer directelly only when Studio can find printer in local network and a SD card is in the printer. Else it will be transferred to cloud and then send to printer (when printer's LAN mode is not enabled).

2. Even a print file may transfer to printer directelly, it still need to be transferred to cloud to support the history print feature in Bambu Handy (when printer's LAN mode is not enabled). The file in cloud will be removed after 90 days by default. It will be removed in 72 hours if user removed the corresponding print history or enabled incognito printing mode in Bambu Handy.

3. If you don't want print files to be transferred to cloud, please enable printer's LAN mode or copy print files to SD card for the print

They're saying it's needed for the "history printing" feature. But the explanation doesn't add up for me. From my understanding of item 2, whatever you're doing they will still try to upload the file to the cloud.

And to be honest the "history" feature can be implemented much less expensive. All the cloud infrustucture and huge amount of traffic/data they have to pay for is expensive. Don't think the printer sales covers this expenses. So who is paying for that and how is that party gets reimbursed?

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

Oh yeah, if you are not paying for the product, you are the product… that is my huge concern with BambuLab…

I tend to order the MK4 this evening…

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

Interesting.  I will be cautious about what I print.  I do not want my own designs on their portal.  

RE:

I thought there was the option to keep things local if working to a NDA? Using the software and a memory card instead to transfer the print job, rather then via the network?

Saying that, it means some of the features do not work - the remote camera for instance.....

No wonder why they added the free camera upgrade to the P1P! lol

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

Also, does this not mean if BambuLabs decided to stop operating, they could 'switch off' services and all users are left without any network features?

Not saying it will happen, but if true than that would be a serious concern....

Posted by: @iftibashir

I thought there was the option to keep things local if working to a NDA? Using the software and a memory card instead to transfer the print job, rather then via the network?

Saying that, it means some of the features do not work - the remote camera for instance.....

No wonder why they added the free camera upgrade to the P1P! lol

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

Posted by: @iftibashir

Also, does this not mean if BambuLabs decided to stop operating, they could 'switch off' services and all users are left without any network features?

This is something all cloud features have in common, yes :-).

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

It is a huge risk.  You can print without the cloud through LAN and SD card, but I am pretty sure without the cloud, the camera stops working.  I could be wrong on the last one.  I have printed with the SD card.  It works.  

Posted by: @iftibashir

Also, does this not mean if BambuLabs decided to stop operating, they could 'switch off' services and all users are left without any network features?

Not saying it will happen, but if true than that would be a serious concern....

Posted by: @iftibashir

I thought there was the option to keep things local if working to a NDA? Using the software and a memory card instead to transfer the print job, rather then via the network?

Saying that, it means some of the features do not work - the remote camera for instance.....

No wonder why they added the free camera upgrade to the P1P! lol

 

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

Call me a skeptic, but this blog review states the K1 is Superior to the P1P.  

https://3dprintingusa.com/blogs/news/bambu-lab-p1p-vs-creality-k1#:~:text=With%20a%20printing%20speed%20of,as%20wood%20and%20metal%20composites.

Issues:

1. Unsure the user has used either
2. The K1 probably compares similarly to the X1C and not the P1P.  
3. Creality support is sketchy.  

RE:

^^ I'd be highly skeptical of such barbone reviews claiming the K1 being superior to the X1C. It is also in conflict with other much more thorough reviews. K1 does seem to be a decent product though, for a Creality printer.

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

Posted by: @thejiral

 K1 does seem to be a decent product though, for a Creality printer.

The bolded is the key statement.  

RE:

For what it is worth I think Bambulab and Creality are very different companies. Both are staunchly cost optimized but my impression is that Bambulab was founded by people who are really innovative and planned to bring the mainstream technology a big leap forward, not competing on the cheapest printer physcially possible market which Creality dominated so long, launching countless different printers which differed not all that much from each other. Instead, they targetted the good quality hobbyist market and competed by delivering more rather than doing the same just cheaper. They did.

This is a good thing, it forced Creality to address this new market threat and innovate (even if it is just largely copying Bambulab) itself as well. But I remain very skeptical Creality would improve on what Bambulab delivers, their strategy is to compete on the price usually and that comes at a cost.

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

Canceled my MK4 kit last week and bought a P1P
I got here on Monday, prints really great and fast... but... it's like having a jumbojet next to my desk.
Working in the same room was really a no go, tried to lower the fan speed but then cooling was an issue instead
Set it to silent mode, still twice as loud as my Mini+

So long story short, the P1P is now sold and I'm back in line for a MK4...

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

I was tempted to do the same, glad I didnt!

Wont that mean you go to the very back of the MK4 Kit queue now?

So looking at Sept??

Posted by: @andre-lind

Canceled my MK4 kit last week and bought a P1P
I got here on Monday, prints really great and fast... but... it's like having a jumbojet next to my desk.
Working in the same room was really a no go, tried to lower the fan speed but then cooling was an issue instead
Set it to silent mode, still twice as loud as my Mini+

So long story short, the P1P is now sold and I'm back in line for a MK4...

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

Yes... and also missing out on a spool of filament... woohoo!

Posted by: @iftibashir

I was tempted to do the same, glad I didnt!

Wont that mean you go to the very back of the MK4 Kit queue now?

So looking at Sept??

Posted by: @andre-lind

Canceled my MK4 kit last week and bought a P1P
I got here on Monday, prints really great and fast... but... it's like having a jumbojet next to my desk.
Working in the same room was really a no go, tried to lower the fan speed but then cooling was an issue instead
Set it to silent mode, still twice as loud as my Mini+

So long story short, the P1P is now sold and I'm back in line for a MK4...

 

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

That sent my price to the level that required a Tariff Payment - Woohoo.  Just kidding - the filament delivered is worth about the same amount as the payment.  

Posted by: @andre-lind

Yes... and also missing out on a spool of filament... woohoo!

Posted by: @iftibashir

I was tempted to do the same, glad I didnt!

Wont that mean you go to the very back of the MK4 Kit queue now?

So looking at Sept??

Posted by: @andre-lind

Canceled my MK4 kit last week and bought a P1P
I got here on Monday, prints really great and fast... but... it's like having a jumbojet next to my desk.
Working in the same room was really a no go, tried to lower the fan speed but then cooling was an issue instead
Set it to silent mode, still twice as loud as my Mini+

So long story short, the P1P is now sold and I'm back in line for a MK4...

 

 

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

Unless you are deaf, you have to have it in another room.  Loud as heck.  I am not sure if my neighbors can hear it; it sure makes me self-conscious printing at night.  

Posted by: @andre-lind

Yes... and also missing out on a spool of filament... woohoo!

Posted by: @iftibashir

I was tempted to do the same, glad I didnt!

Wont that mean you go to the very back of the MK4 Kit queue now?

So looking at Sept??

Posted by: @andre-lind

Canceled my MK4 kit last week and bought a P1P
I got here on Monday, prints really great and fast... but... it's like having a jumbojet next to my desk.
Working in the same room was really a no go, tried to lower the fan speed but then cooling was an issue instead
Set it to silent mode, still twice as loud as my Mini+

So long story short, the P1P is now sold and I'm back in line for a MK4...

 

 

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

How many hours of print time would make a printer as reliable as a prusa? I am sure they should age similar, while not printing.

Longevity, no one knows if any of these Companies will be around next year. If you are scared get enough spare parts and also the marked of third party is growing quick.

I was a big fan of prusa and ordered an XL ages ago...in the meantime I went on the dark side with an x1c.

Imagine buying an mk3 5 week before they dropped the news on the mk4. Not to hate on the mk3 but prusa sold an outdated and overpriced product. It was their decision not to invest heavily in R&D but instead milk every Euro they could. 

It seems they rushed their products to the "marked" or lets say preorder. They stated to have used their new printers in house. How come their software was/is not ready?

Their advertisement was misleading at best. IS, benchy, delivery date...

I am still waiting on my xl. But I will not be surprised if bambu takes an aim in that direction. 

I hope prusa has still the chance to step it up.