Laser cutters accessible to individuals are generally LED or CO2 with powers lower than 40W. Such laser cutters are ideal for cutting thin sheets of material such as acrylic, wood, and paper, but rarely useful for cutting metal.
Desktop laser cutters are perfect for rapid prototyping of new ideas and concepts, creating custom laser engraved panels, and for artistic purpose. Keeping the entire process in-house also removes the need for delivery waiting times meaning that prototypes can be developed faster.
Furthermore, laser cut parts can even be used in production products as the quality of a single laser cut part is the same as one produced in the thousands.