Reverse Engineering Bambu Connect

This is the Google model then. Base everything on open source, even allow unofficial builds of your operating system (LineageOS, Graphene), but slowly introduce more and more device attestation and DRM so it becomes de facto impossible to actually use anything but the closed builds because everything from banking apps and electronic identification apps to streaming apps will refuse to run on your "unsafe" operating system.

Just some of them:

- Battery Management (iPhone 6, 6s, and SE): In 2017, Apple introduced a battery management feature in iOS 10.2.1 to prevent unexpected shutdowns by throttling the performance of iPhones with degraded batteries. This led to slower device performance without informing users, which is a removal of expected performance functionality.

- 32-bit App Support: With the release of iOS 11 in 2017, Apple dropped support for 32-bit apps. This meant users could no longer use older apps that had not been updated to 64-bit, effectively removing access to those apps on updated devices = You want the new OS? -> you have less functionality.

- Pulse oximetry features were recently removed from new Apple Watches due to Masimo's patent infringement claim.

Well Prusa was open and did compete.

But for 3D printers that worked out of the box under $1000, Prusa had no real competition itself.

The Mk3 came out in 2017 and I swear Prusa just sat on their laurels. I was a Mk3s+ owner (well, still am) and was pretty disappointed how little improved with the Mk4.

Bambu’s competition was Prusa and they clearly strived to improve over what Prusa had accomplished.

> Open source didn't compete on quality for price.

Well, Open Source did compete on one quality very well: being open, hackable and staying that way. With this being removed from Bambu lab printers it seems as if this is a very much valued aspect for many 3D printing enthusiasts, yet few people were willing to compromise for this aspect.

Apparently it is true, you don’t know how much you value something until you don’t have it anymore

> The Apple model works because people want to print rather than tinker.

Entirely this. I bought my A1 mini over the Christmas holidays and couldn't be happier with it, it's my first 3D printer. Searching for models on Makerworld, adjusting tiny bits here and there if needed and print. It just works and I don't really care about anything else, much like my Brother printer.

Curious if anyone has tried the Core XY printers from Creality? I think they use open source software and are generally in the same ballpark as the Bambu printers price-wise. Also saw they have a similar AMS style system as well.

I paid ~$750 for my 350mm Voron 2.4 kit (and, sure, 40 hours of my time. But look, you want to do 3D printing, 40 hours are just a small initial investment).

There's a middle ground between the Apple model and assembling everything yourself.

it just works until it doesn't

I _think_ that's browsing the SD card from Bambu Studio when the printer's set to LAN Mode, not printing from SD on the printer itself.

From that link if you continue reading, commenters in the thread point out that LAN mode didn't even exist when the printer came out, and that it's more flexible now than when they first came out on the market.

My other comment on this thread contains the rest of my thoughts. Overall, I think this outrage is overblown.

Some are good, some are bad, buyer beware.

No direct experience, but I recently read[1] Brother HL-L3220CW counts printed pages, and refuses to print after a set number of pages, even if there's still toner in the cartridge. Some models have a way to reset the page count but this one apparently does not.

[1] https://spicausis-lv.translate.goog/2025/01-brother/?_x_tr_s...

(I also use a Brother B/W laser printer, got it second hand for almost nothing, works fine)

I've only made good experiences with laser printers, from very small ones to full-sized copy machines. Some of the more expensive inkjet printers are reportedly also quite good. You are still stuck with the usual horror show that is software from hardware companies, but otherwise it's not so bad. And the occasional paper jam, but 3d printers are no better in terms of reliability

The bad reputation is just from HP's tactic to sell printers cheaper than everyone else, in more stores than anyone else, then make the money back with the scummiest tactics imaginable.

Yep laser printers are the equivalent of modern CoreXY printers with solid auto calibration

From their blog post: https://blog.bambulab.com/firmware-update-introducing-new-au...

"Critical Operations That Require Authorization

The following printer operations will require authorization controls:

    Binding and unbinding the printer.
    Initiating remote video access.
    Performing firmware upgrades.
    Initiating a print job (via LAN or cloud mode).
    Controlling motion system, temperature, fans, AMS settings, calibrations, etc."

I do wonder how much friction it'll really add, since the slicers can send the data to Connect via a protocol handler.

It also means that Connect could act as a farm / queueing system as well, more like a print driver vs. individual printer support within the app.

> it's not any harder to unbox or operate

I agree with this

> and more reliable

I emphatically disagree with this.

> while generally achieving somewhat better results

I agree with this.

I'd also like to add that my Prusa Mk3s+ is significantly slower than my P1S. Also, without the MMU it still cost more than my P1S with AMS. Choosing a Prusa is making a philosophical choice, because it's certainly not about convenience, speed, versatility (considering you need to buy a separate enclosure and pricey MMU), bed size, or price. It's a choice you make because you're okay with spending a lot more to support an open platform where you can flash your own firmware without voiding your warranty, not because you want a better experience.

And they cost 3x as much. Which is a pretty tough sell IMO.

One thing to be said for Prusa is that their support is actually knowledgeable and experienced. You're not going to get a tier 1 support person who has never touched a printer and is just reading from a script.

I did the same- replaced an Ender with an A1. Unfortunately, I’ve had it 10 days and have yet to be able to print anything. Won’t calibrate and cannot update firmware. Seems like a commonly reported issue but tech support is still bumbling around with no useful suggestions. I foresee it going back.