Is it Okay to purchase a mainboard from Alliexpress?

[Kerry Wilkinson]

The micro USB connector snapped off of my Prusa Mini+ mainboard ( 32-bit Buddy board), it is around $100 from Prusa https://www.prusa3d.com/product/buddy-control-board/, but I found a cloneone on Alliexpress for around $14 aliexpress.us/item/2255801065897590.html?algo_pvid=39248410-757c-4cd0-befa-277a, I try to support original company's products as much as I can afford and after purchasing 3 printers plus parts and filament from Prusa I think I have done my part there. But being retired and on disability, a $100 is a lot now. Can A cheap Alliexpress mainboard  clone be expected to work  or is it too good to be true?

Kerry

[markni...@gmail.com]

If you check carefully, you'll see it just the LCD screen for $14.00

Banggood is a trusted source, and they get $80.00 for the full kit: https://usa.banggood.com/Clone-Prusa-Buddy-Control-Board-32Bit-Integrated-TMC2209-Driver-+-MINI-LCD28-V1_0-Screen-Set-for-3D-Printer-Parts-Prusa-MINI-Printer-p-1755413.html?cur_warehouse=CN

Same old story, if it sounds too good, then .....

[LukeH]

Notwistanding the above about price, technicallly, yes, the board will work.

That said, if it is just the USB socket that has snapped off your original board, and money is tight, perhaps you could just repair your existing board, or have the t repaired by someone else. I’m not suggesting that desolating a board component and resoldering a replacement is easy, but it is not impossible, and very cheap in comparison to buying a new board.

[John Pickens]

If you are in the US, you might contact Printed Solid, who represents Prusa.  They might be able to get you fixed.

[3D Printing Tips and Tricks]

Yeah, I bet the fix is not that hard to do and this way it stays oem.