Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
This forum is in permanent archive mode. Our new active community can be found here.
3D Printer vs (Holy-fuck-thats-a-lot-of) Computer
So this morning, my mom asked me how much the 3D printer I've been talking about buying was going to be. I told her it was going to be a little over $1300 for the printer plus an accessory or two (frostruder and a couple of spindles for the plastics). Her jaw dropped and she went into a tirade over how expensive it was. Once a year, I make a big purchase using some of my biannual tuition disbursement (the money from my loans and FAFSA that's left over after the school takes it's cut); last year it was "Go to PAX Prime", the year before it was "Buy a Nintendo DS", and the year before it was "Buy a new laptop".
Anyway, So to prove how committed I was with buying the printer, I went on NewEgg and built a computer for around $1300.
Well, my plan has sort of backfired on me.
I'm now staring down a list of parts for a screaming machine, complete with a sweet 24" monitor. This rig is made even sweeter by the fact that my gaming laptop has a broken screen that will cost me $169 to replace. I have it hooked up to a monitor and it's acting as a desktop right now. Even better is that I have a firewire card that I know works with my audio equipment, which then eliminated the need for me to use a separate machine for recording Friday Night Party Line.
/_\ So much for commitment.
However, the problem I face if I get this bitchin machine is, what I think, a major loss of face. I've been pretty much talking non-stop about getting this printer, at home and at work. In addition, I was planning on using the printer to print custom gifts for the relatives I like and for fab-ing parts for my arduino projects.
It's not that I don't want to get the printer (if I could have my way, I'd get both) but this is a reeeaally good machine and it would last me until I graduate (three years) in terms of gaming performance.
*Sigh*
I dunno, what would you guys do?
Here's a link to the parts list.
Anyway, So to prove how committed I was with buying the printer, I went on NewEgg and built a computer for around $1300.
Well, my plan has sort of backfired on me.
I'm now staring down a list of parts for a screaming machine, complete with a sweet 24" monitor. This rig is made even sweeter by the fact that my gaming laptop has a broken screen that will cost me $169 to replace. I have it hooked up to a monitor and it's acting as a desktop right now. Even better is that I have a firewire card that I know works with my audio equipment, which then eliminated the need for me to use a separate machine for recording Friday Night Party Line.
/_\ So much for commitment.
However, the problem I face if I get this bitchin machine is, what I think, a major loss of face. I've been pretty much talking non-stop about getting this printer, at home and at work. In addition, I was planning on using the printer to print custom gifts for the relatives I like and for fab-ing parts for my arduino projects.
It's not that I don't want to get the printer (if I could have my way, I'd get both) but this is a reeeaally good machine and it would last me until I graduate (three years) in terms of gaming performance.
*Sigh*
I dunno, what would you guys do?
Here's a link to the parts list.
Comments
Also, if you build a computer on Newegg it should last you 5 years, not three. Also, Dell Ultrasharp, but you knew that already.
No srsly tho, I would get a 3D printer. My desktop computer was last upgraded 2006 or 2007, my primary computer is a netbook, and I really don't need anything else. I'm currently looking into a 3D printer and have no desire to replace any of my computers until one dies.
However, all I need is a terminal and Python for most of my stuff. My gaming needs are satisfied IRL more than virtually these days, with the exception of the occasional 360 or PS3 game. You are probably in a very different situation.
Separately from that, if you build a computer on Newegg, it should last you 5 years. I built my first computer on Newegg in 1999. I'm on my third one.
Cue Scott Telling me why I'm enormously wrong because ultrasharp.
For example, some of the Rep Rap 3D printers require printed plastic parts, which is a bit of a catch 22.
People with 3D printers buy the printing plastic, print out full sets of Rep Rap parts (from the open source blueprints) and sell those parts to people looking to build their own 3D printers.
This is probably not the only way to make money from a 3D printer.
What ways will your computer offset its own price?
You know what? I'm gonna make TWO big purchases this year. I'll buy one of them with this disbursement and one of them when the spring disbursement comes around.
Seeing as my laptop screen is cracked, rather than putting the money in fixing it, I think I'm gonna buy the computer first.