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2024-07-23 12:06 am
A question for @zander
Ron, I know you have a lovely new m3 iMac and I have a question about programming the rpi pico boards.
On my old intel based iMac I have problems with using the Arduino IDE with the pico. Usually I can load a sketch OK the first time, but after a few more compile and uploads, sometimes the very next upload, and usually after some mac warnings about removing before ejecting, something affects the mouse and it reacts in a jerky fashion. Unplugging the pico restores the situation, but it goes wobbly again as soon as the pico is reconnected. Usually there is no connection port shown as to which the pico is attached. The only way to start afresh that I've found is to reboot the iMac. 🙄
Probably this is because my old iMac cannot be updated to the latest, and the latest macOS I can use is Big Sur, and some programs, like Fusion 360, whilst an older versions works, it will no longer get updated until I can use a later version of macOS
Its getting to the time for a new computer. A bit of a shame as my iMac has a lovely 27 inch 5K screen and, apart from the above niggles it runs all I want of it.
So before I decide what to go for next I thought I would check with you to see if you use the Arduino IDE to program the rpi pico's, and if you do, do you run into any of the sort of issues I have been having? I think you mainly use ESP32's so if you've not done anything much with the rpi pico, then no worries, and don't go setting up a pico and Ardino IDE test just for my sake.
i was looking to getting the Arduino IDE working with the rpi as I bought a nice largish screen for the pico and the programming for this beastie really needs to be done in C. As it happens, just last week, I found an Arduino V2.2.1 version that some cleaver chappie has complied for Arm based processors (Arduino do not produce a V2 version for the Arm boards). Yesterday I got it up and running to check it out and it works just fine on my rpi 5 computer for pico programming.
The rpi 5 based IDE will probably also come in handy for ESP32 based sketches that Andy ( @andydowns ) may produce for his interesting project without grappling with a messed up situation with my iMac IDE whilst I cogitate what my next computer should be 😀
But sometime soon, I shall have to splash the cash for a computer that can be updated to run the latest os versions, but if you report your iMac also has some peculiar issues with the Arduino and the pico, it may not be Apple that receives it. 😎
2024-07-23 12:19 am
@byron I have not done much with the PICO(W) since it came on the scene, but I have not had any problems with it on either my M3 or M1 Mac. I do have to do some googling if I want to get it out of python mode and into C mode but recently I think it has been working ok. I will try to do some basic tests tomorrow, blink, wifi scan, I2C scan and perhaps a web server/client of some sort.
As far as your system, since you already have a great monitor, either get a small(13") M3 MacAir like I have or could you use a Mac Mini?
First computer 1959. Retired from my own computer company 2004.
Hardware - Expert in 1401, 360, fairly knowledge in PC plus numerous MPU's & MCU's
Major Languages - Machine language, 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PL/I and PL1, Pascal, Basic, C plus numerous job control and scripting languages.
My personal scorecard is now 1 PC hardware fix (circa 1982), 1 open source fix (at age 82), and 2 zero day bugs in a major OS.
Topic starter
2024-07-23 11:32 am
Thanks for your info. And whilst my old iMac does have a great monitor, unfortunately there's not a way to use it in a multi screen setup with a new mac. Apparently some of the older mac screens could be used, but this facility was not made available to later iMacs.
I am thinking of a new mac mini, though I will have to wait and see if it gets updated as its only running on m2 chips, which already seems a bit out of date. I will have to buy a new monitor to go with the mini unfortunately. I do like the new iMac's but having got used to a 27 inch, and still finding not enough screen space I think I will have to abandon the iMac line.
So a new mac mini, two new 27 inch mac monitors.... well thats getting rather expensive. I'll have to see what alternative monitors one can hook up to a mac mini and explore the Windows world. Plenty to mull over. 😉
2024-07-23 1:30 pm
@byron I see a M2PRO. I didn't notice much difference between my M1 and M3, not like the difference I saw with windows machines. Hold off on getting rid of the monitor until you actually try it on either a Mini or a MacAir.
My 27" screen came in a Mac box but I bought it on Amazon, That is because Apple dropped that model and brought out the new super expensive but panned displays for the Studio. Here is a link if you are interested (of course normal NOT Apple pricing)
First computer 1959. Retired from my own computer company 2004.
Hardware - Expert in 1401, 360, fairly knowledge in PC plus numerous MPU's & MCU's
Major Languages - Machine language, 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PL/I and PL1, Pascal, Basic, C plus numerous job control and scripting languages.
My personal scorecard is now 1 PC hardware fix (circa 1982), 1 open source fix (at age 82), and 2 zero day bugs in a major OS.
byron reacted