Best bet for a low cost HW assisted Linuxcnc engine....

My goal:  a X/Y Linuxcnc based system with slow movement speeds (open loop steppers).  The constraints:
* Not old PC desk top based or some kind of windows parallel I/O
* It consists of a cpu running Linuxcnc with a dedicated processor doing the step/pulse interface to stepper drivers
* I think this is pointed at a Remora implementaion however I need something that is relatively stable and functional and *up to date* in terms of the HW.
* Is there  *up to date* documentation on how to install and use it.  I tried in the past to go with Remora and a 3d printer card only to find that the Remora documentation was seriously out of date and I wound up with a dead end.
* I have asked on the Remora part of the forum if the RP2040 based system (which sounds great!) is ready for prime time and I have had no responses since posting it a couple of weeks ago.  Is the impression I am left with which is that it is not ready and the enthusiam for it has died out?  
* I understand the fun of developing and tweaking a solution but for someone who wants to use the system and is somewhat conversant in this subject, figuring out what to commit to is very difficult.  Is there a *real* guide for potential users?  Are people figuring out how to get something to work and not reporting back?  Or are people giving up and just buying the expensive solutions?  Am I completing missing something and my concerns are unfounded?

 

Mars wrote:

Not old PC desktop based
Low cost hardware
Are you thinking something like an SBC (single board computer)?

windows parallel I/O
can you explain, do you refer to gui in general, or Microsoft Windows (LinuxCNC has no current association with Microsoft).

Sounds like an interesting project, just trying to understand what you ask for.

Thanks for your response. I realize that an old PC with parallel port works. Counting on an old PC going forward is not something that appeals to me. I also understand that the Mesa card is solid but the price is less than desirable. Noting that I am not an expert, it seems that the Remora with RP2040 over ethernet should be up to the job and be far cheaper than the Mesa cards. Unfortunately,, I don't have the skills to write the SW so the question remains: Is/or will be Remora with RP2040 ready for prime time? Note: currently I have the Raspberry Pi 5 running Linuxcnc using its GPIO port (buffered with some simple buffer HW but not aux processor) and it will probably meet my needs. That said, a solution based on a cheap aux processor would be a big benefit.