gControl Panel Computer is a rugged and versatile Windows touchscreen computer designed and dedicated to running your CNC machines. Pricing starts at $436USD/$589CAD.
Included Mounting Solutions
The gPanel computer comes with a universal mounting solution for clamping your computer mount to a table or bench, as well as a special bracket for attaching to the front left corner of your AltMill or LongMill.
The gPanel computer uses a standard VESA mounting pattern, so users may also adapt their own mounting as well.
Features and Specifications
| Operating System | Windows 11 IOT |
| Processor | Intel N100 |
| Display | 1080P, 15″ Touchscreen |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB |
| Hardware Connectivity | USB A (4 ports), HDMI, VGA, Ethernet, 3.5mm audio, 3.5mm microphone |
| Wireless Connectivity | Wifi, Bluetooth |
| Power | 110V/220V 50/60HZ compatible |
FAQ
When will this be available? When will it ship?
The first 50 beta orders ship mid-Nov 2024. Orders past the first 50 ship January 2025.
What machines are they compatible with?
gControl, simply put, is just a computer. Any machine that needs to be connected to a computer can be used with gControl. Any LongMill and AltMill with any board and of any generation is compatible with gControl. As a rule of thumb, if it’s compatible with gSender, it’ll work with gControl.
We have also done some cursory testing using Centroid through the Ethernet port.
Additionally, other machines like Shapeokos, XCarves, Genmitsus, Sainsmarts, Openbuilds, and others that need a computer connection to operate can use the gControl as well, as long as you download the software for each of their respective companies.
What’s the difference between buying my own laptop or computer?
Both will serve the same purpose. However, the gControl computer comes with all of the hardware to mount it to your machine in a convenient way. Additionally, since it has a touch screen, using a mouse and keyboard is optional. Since our mounting option allows you to put the computer right next to the cutting area of the machine, it also makes it easy to control and operate the machine on the fly for operations like jogging, homing, and probing.
Given that gControl is completely fanless, we also expect it to last much longer in a shop environment than most consumer computer hardware.
What features does it have?
You’ll have access to every feature gSender and Windows computer comes with, including:
- Wireless control with a phone
- Wired and wireless control using a game controller
- Networked file transfer
- Access to thousands of Windows programs* such as Google Drive, Chrome Browser, CNC simulators, CAD and CAM software, and more.
*Not all programs are free. Please check system requirements for each program for compatibility.
Is it fast?
While the Intel N100 chip isn’t considered a high-end powerhouse by any means, it is perfectly suitable for running gSender and many other Windows programs. Check out these benchmarks for more info. In our day-to-day use, we experienced no issues with performance.
gControl also exceeds system requirements for popular software from Vectric, Lightburn, and Carveco.
Can I run design software like CAD or CAM?
Although the main purpose of gControl is as a dedicated control station for your CNC machine, it is possible to run other programs on the computer. We recommend checking system requirements before running your software on the computer.
Can I upgrade my computer?
We don’t recommend opening it up for safety reasons. Users can use removable storage devices like an external hard drive or USB stick to provide more memory.
Why start with 50?
We feel like it’s a small enough number for us to be able make mistakes and iron out issues on an individual basis, but large enough so that we have a large enough audience to try the first batch.
Can I install Linux or another operating system?
Yes, you can install any compatible operating system on your gControl. gControl should work with many distros of Linux and older versions of Windows.
Please note that :
- There may be additional security risks involved with different systems
- You may erase or lose files and other content pre-installed
Do I need the internet to use gControl?
No, the computer can be used standalone without any connection to the internet. However, software that runs on the computer may need the internet to work. gControl allows for internet connection with Wifi or Ethernet.