Newbie needs CNC advice

**JAZZCNC** · 07-02-2017

Originally Posted by Bucks

Is this the same as with a USB control box? our only option is a laptop as we don't have room for a PC due to our iMac! If we would need a external motion controller do you know what sort of price these would be?

Any device using USB with Mach3 would be considered External Motion controller. 99% of External Motion controllers USB or Ethernet will require and come with Plug-in software for mach3. This replaces the parallel port driver and tells mach3 how to talk to the new device. There are few chinese offerings which say don't require Plug-in but these are best avoided.
The only USB devise I'd recommend for Mach3 comes from these people and is about the cheapist way to convert from PP to USB. It's called UC100. They also have other higher spec USB Motion controllers but if spending that money then I'd recommending not using USB and go with Ethernet as it's much better and more stable. USB isn't great for CNC and not all so-called USB devices are the same.!
http://cncdrive.com/UC100.html