Should I use LinuxCNC or grbl/arduino?

[CptanPanic]

I was trying to figure if I should go with LinuxCnc route or arduino. I have an old machine with printer port, and I have an arduino. Pro/con?

[CaptainVee]

Dunno about the arduino. But depending on how old the pc is, just take lincnc for a spin using the live cd.
I use a P4 1000 or similar which runs like crazy.

[marzetti]

I really have not understood the point of running these machines on low powered microprocessors when you still need a computer as a user interface and you give up so much functionality. If the size of the electronics is an issue, LinuxCNC runs great on Intel ITX boards. Same with the cost. I run LinuxCNC on a 10 year old computer I got for free. There are plenty of uses for Arduinos (I have several) but this is not one of them.

[CptanPanic]

Thanks. I was just making sure I wasn't missing anything. I have started putting together the stuff needed for a linuxcnc controller.