u/CalligrapherKey8418

Hey everyone, I’m an engineering student looking for my first 3D printer. I’m torn between two very different prices, Elegoo Neptune 3 Pro (~$195 total with tax) and Bambu Lab A1 Mini (~$310 total with tax). I’ll be using it for school projects (brackets, enclosures, gear prototypes). I don't mind tinkering for 5-10 minutes to get things right, but Is the smaller build volume (180mm) on the A1 Mini a dealbreaker for engineering projects? Or is the speed and reliability of the Bambu much better than the Neptune 3/4 series for someone in school? Total budget is tight, but I can swing the extra $115 if it’s worth it.