I may be lucky, but:

Complete 3D printing noob in 2021.

Got my MK3S+ in April 2021, as kind of a splurge. I thought “what the heck, maybe I can get it to pay for itself.”

Assembled it myself very carefully following website instructions and, especially the comments following each step.

I stumbled on a niche and over the last 12 months have made about a 60x return on that investment.

Yes, I’ve had to tackle and overcome spaghetti monsters, adhesion too strong, adhesion too weak, calibration, bed leveling, enclosures, ventilation, power interruptions and backups, printing replacement parts, filament problems, etc.

But you can’t deny that, for me, the Prusa MK3S+ has been worth it.

I’m looking at a second printer to need growing demand. (Maxing out my current one, and a backup could be helpful.)

Should I get another MK3S+ ? Advantages include it’s a lot like my Toyota Prius version 2: proven reliability, ubiquitous, readily available support and parts from OEM and aftermarket sources.

Disadvantages? Well, it’s a lot like my Prius. Old technology, at a time and in a sector where novelty is very attractive.

I have a deposit on the in-development Prusa XL, which has some impressive specs for capacity and technology. Problem is, Prusa has been silent on progress lately (not surprising given war and global supply chains).

I’ve also had my eye on the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon, which is kind of like the Tesla Cybertruck. Revolutionary in very many ways, but so far, only on paper (and very glitzy promo vids).