The original Ultimaker is far from obsolete. In my experience, the UM2 is definitely a step up in terms of print quality. The heated bed provides for more flexibility in materials, and better first layers with mirror-smooth bottoms. The extruder is incredibly reliable in my testing, and the retraction works excellently, making for really good, clean prints even when printing complicated and detailed shapes.
But, all of that said, the UM1 isn't too far behind in terms of print quality, and I expect that Ultimaker will release upgrades before too long that make the UM1 more like the UM2 - definitely a heated bed is in in the works, and I suspect the UM2's direct drive extruder assembly, or something inspired by it, may get ported to the UM1 as well, and be available for existing users as an upgrade kit.
So... the UM1 is still a really good printer, and it's going to keep getting better. And it does have one huge advantage over the UM2 - it comes as a kit. So you can not only save money, but you can actually get some experience putting the kit together, and learning how the mechanisms work. It's not very hard to do, and it's really educational. Depending on the age of your kids, they might get a kick out of helping assemble the kit too. My daughter was 10 when I got my UM1 kit, and she was thoroughly involved in the building and testing, and before long she was able to manage the full process from design to slicing to printing by herself. It's a great way to get kids - perhaps especially girls - interested in STEM fields in a hands-on way. :-)
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gr5 2,294
I personally think it's too early to say. I suspect the UM2 extruder drive isn't as powerful as the UM Original. Quality and speed of prints is going to be similar - identical maybe even. However...
The UM2 is much more beautiful.
Probably much more reliable - especially - well everything from electronics to clogs (um original more likely to clog).
I suspect it can print hotter.
It has slightly larger build volume
It is quieter.
It is easier to use (the leveling part - almost everything else is about the same but levelling is a pain so this is sooo much better on the UM2). Also extruder is easier.
And you can print more materials than just PLA. UM Original is pretty much pla. But if you wait 6 months their (hopefuly/likely) upcoming heated bed for UM Original will fix that.
UM 1 is much more hackable. And if it breaks it's less scary for most people to just fix it (not that it's easier but who cares if you have to add a wire tie or drill a hole in the UM Original).
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