You see, selling a printer under $1000 isn’t really a big deal when you’re relying on a razor-and-blades business model.
Cartridges shudder
Non-refillable cartridges with DRM to be precise.
How can we use the Microsoft strategy of “embrace and extend” to help ensure a future world of inexpensive non-proprietary cartridges? This is the first real threat I’ve seen from the big boys. If this machine works it could actually become popular.
haha.
I have a friend that routinely defeats the chip in his Dimension and refills his own. Just sayin’.
I think the key is software. Both Makerware and Cura just have one button to download new firmware and install it. I just went through helping a buddy “get started” with the printbot simple and this? This is not consumer friendly. I’m used to this but my mom or teacher, or librarian? Forget it. Repraps should continue innovate software next and make friends with a GUI expert!
http://printrbot.com/support/printrbot-simple/
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How are they doing DRM on the cartridges?
Horrid GUI had always been the bane of open source projects.
@Joe_Spanier They read how much filament has passed a sensor somehow. It will stop and say you are out when you can shake and hear/see more.