The MakerBot is a $1,000 3D printer kit based on an open source design. It has a funky vibe and has won followers among technology enthusiasts. Its rough plywood case leads some to compare it to the first Apple. However while it is cheap and hip, for a couple thousand dollars extra you can get a fully assembled printer called the Bits for Bytes 3000. Its sterile aesthetic might turn some off, but will be a welcome change for schools and other institutions that want access to 3D printing technology without the hassle (or splinters!) Additionally, the printer seems capable of dispensing multiple colors which would be a major step up from other “homebrew” 3D Printers. The website currently lists a 7 week lead time and the features seem so advanced that it may be vaporware, but it is an interesting concept.
