Makerbot took the design work from RepRap, and then commericialized it. They have also closed source their design. Personally, I would not buy one from them. I've read some reviews that pointed out problems with the current Replicator printers where they went nuts and started "vomiting spaghetti" (clogged extruder?). Mind you just my opinion, but there are other 3D printer companies that are keeping the code open source, and I would patronize them before I bought a Makerbot.