So I ordered the printer.  I have been looking at 3d printers for a while now and I finally broke down and bought one.  The printer I ordered is https://store.makerbot.com/replicator2.html

I choose this one because it seems to be one of the most mature printer on the market.  It is certainly not the cheapest though but, for the features that it has it seem to me to be one of the most useful.  I also like what they have done with the http://www.thingiverse.com/.  It all seems like a great idea.

Right now according to the website makerbot has an 8 week lead time on delivery.  They were reporting a 4 week lead time and then Hurricane Sandy hit.  Oh well I think this printer will be worth the wait.  In the mean time I have been browsing the thingiverse trying to plan out my first print.