3 ms·

Sure they can; but only if it "just works." Wifi; a sexy form/structure; an easy to use interface; it seems that Cube (or someone else) has the potential to be

by eof 14y ago

Sure they can; but only if it "just works." Wifi; a sexy form/structure; an easy to use interface; it seems that Cube (or someone else) has the potential to be the Apple of the 3d printing world. I could see my father buying something like this; while he would never end up with a reprap. For myself; and most of HN I would imagine they would go the open route; but there are a lot of people (This thing needs to be in Sky Mall) that I think are potential customers here.

nacs 14y ago
The thing is, this isn't something that your average joe would even consider buying even if it has the 'sexy form'. To make use of this the person would need to know what 3d printing is, know where to get models or make 3d models (doubtful), get materials and then spend time printing and perfecting. Not something the average user would do no matter how "sexy" the packaging is for this. If they really wanted something made that they'd managed to design, they would likely go with one of the many online companies that offer 3d printing as a service and offer a wide variety of materials and sizes (without the person having to invest in a 3d printer up front or learning how they work). As another poster mentioned above, I personally would much rather go with something like the Solidoodle machine which is half the price; not as sexy but I'm not sure that the target market for 3d printing at this time is looking for "sexy". One day when 3d printing becomes more mainstream and much cheaper (200-300 range and buy it at Best Buy/Target), I could see the sexy form factor and wifi becoming something to have.
- deleted 14y ago
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- ams6110 14y ago
  Not only that, they need to provide some better examples of what you can do with it. Looking at the examples shown on their home page, i.e. bracelets, toys, etc. I am wondering why I would pay $1,300 for this device instead of buying those same things for $1/dozen down at the "Everything For A Dollar" shop.
nrp 14y ago
They aren't competing with RepRap so much as Makerbot, who ship an assembled "just works" open source printer and who are behind Thingiverse.

by eof 14y ago

nacs 14y ago

The thing is, this isn't something that your average joe would even consider buying even if it has the 'sexy form'. To make use of this the person would need to know what 3d printing is, know where to get models or make 3d models (doubtful), get materials and then spend time printing and perfecting. Not something the average user would do no matter how "sexy" the packaging is for this. If they really wanted something made that they'd managed to design, they would likely go with one of the many online companies that offer 3d printing as a service and offer a wide variety of materials and sizes (without the person having to invest in a 3d printer up front or learning how they work). As another poster mentioned above, I personally would much rather go with something like the Solidoodle machine which is half the price; not as sexy but I'm not sure that the target market for 3d printing at this time is looking for "sexy". One day when 3d printing becomes more mainstream and much cheaper (200-300 range and buy it at Best Buy/Target), I could see the sexy form factor and wifi becoming something to have.

deleted 14y ago
[deleted]
ams6110 14y ago
Not only that, they need to provide some better examples of what you can do with it. Looking at the examples shown on their home page, i.e. bracelets, toys, etc. I am wondering why I would pay $1,300 for this device instead of buying those same things for $1/dozen down at the "Everything For A Dollar" shop.

nrp 14y ago

They aren't competing with RepRap so much as Makerbot, who ship an assembled "just works" open source printer and who are behind Thingiverse.