AWOLF,

At that price point you might be able to get a desktop unit. A unit with a work area of 18x24 and 30-40W will probably be 3 to 4 times that amount. None of these units are really capable of checkering as it takes a special system like the one used on the RBL's that Chuck H. posted a picture of on a previous thread.

I have had good luck with Universal Laser Systems and have heard good things about Epilog.