Mach3 with on board graphics

[bullethead67]

Do i absolutely have to have a external graphics card? I was looking at the dual core atom mini atx boards on newegg for 80 bucks. It has a on board graphics and is a machine somewhere between laptop and desktop. It is a dual core with hypertreading and a decent graphics chipset. I would like to build my own control panel with the computer inside but dont want to get almost finished then find out that i absolutely have to have a external graphics. I know laptops are not recommended because of their "power saving features" but i dont know exactly what power saving features they mean? The dual core atom is a low power unit so i am concerned there too. It has a parallel port so if it would work then it seems like the perfect choice.

[mcphill]

On board video is not an issue. Laptops are a problem because of power saving techniques they use to save battery power. This affects the way the signals are sent to parallel port, and they have a lot of "sleep" type timeouts that affect whether hardware is ready when you need it. Board level computers should not have this issue. I bought an Intel Atom all-in-one computer to use with MACH3 myself, but have not had the time to build it up yet.

[ger21]

Some people are using Atoms, but using the Smoothstepper to generate step and direction signals. They don't have parallel ports, do they?

[mcphill]

The board I got does have a parallel port. Here is the board and specs:

http://www.intel.com/products/deskto...D-overview.htm

[bullethead67]

heres what im looking at.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...tel-_-13121359

[mcphill]

heres what im looking at.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...tel-_-13121359

Same one. There were cheaper sources when I got mine (this past May).

Here's one:

http://www.antonline.com/p_BOXD945GCLF-NX_513026.htm

Cross check cheaper stores with ResellerRatings.com prior to purchase if you are not familiar with them.