Apt timing for a lunch directly ahead of Maker Faire NY next week.
As an owner of a Thing-o-Matic I was fairly disappointed with my Makerbot. I know people that own Replicators that were also fairly disappointed. Unless there are some significant improvements in this version of the Replicator I will not be buying my next 3D printer from Makerbot. I would much rather buy an Ultimaker or one of the several other startup printer companies that are now out there. The cost of the Replicator also runs very close to the 'home' version of many commercial 3D printers.
Quality vs expense primarily. It had many of the same problems I experienced with my ToM. Not being able to print thin enough walls, bad overhangs, and random problems where it would just stop printing. We had (has since been replaced) one at my local hacker space and the Replicator was the but of lots of jokes. The bottom line is that it was a cool toy but never a useful tool.
As an owner of a Thing-o-Matic I was fairly disappointed with my Makerbot. I know people that own Replicators that were also fairly disappointed. Unless there are some significant improvements in this version of the Replicator I will not be buying my next 3D printer from Makerbot. I would much rather buy an Ultimaker or one of the several other startup printer companies that are now out there. The cost of the Replicator also runs very close to the 'home' version of many commercial 3D printers.