I don't realistically expect to see any 3D printers below about $1000 assembled, and $500 - $600 in kit form.
There have been lots of Kickstarter/Indiegogo projects created promising cheap printers. Guess what? They've all failed.
I got the $299 offer on Kickstarter for one of these (now being pre-release offered at $349). Small bed, but it's a price point I'm OK with. :
https://printm3d.com/themicro/
11,855 backers
$3,401,361 pledged of $50,000 goal
Update 17 - Mid-September 2014 - Beta Printers & Detailed Features
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/m3d/the-micro-the-first-truly-consumer-3d-printer/posts
Technical Specifications
Supports many different materials: ABS, PLA, nylon, professional, chameleon
50-350 micron layer resolution
15 micron X and Y positioning accuracy
Filament: standard 1.75mm. 1/2lb rolls fit within print bed and allow you to try a variety of materials and colors for less! Standard filament rolls also supported.
Print height: 116mm (4.6")
Base Print Area: 109mm x 113mm
Print Area Above 74mm: 91mm x 84mm
Removable Print Bed Size: 128x128mm
Printer Dimensions: It's a cube, 7.3 in (185 mm) per side.
Printer weight: 1kg (2.2 lbs)
Package weight: 2kg - 2.7kg (4.4 lbs - 6 lbs)
USB Compatible
Glass-Filled ABS Body
Software
M3D software for an effortless, plug-and-play experience
Supports and uses open source software (for advanced users)
File Types Supported: .stl, .obj
Compatible with Mac and PC. Linux will also likely be supported.
The updates from this group are very professional and show great progress. Their pitch on Kickstarter was very professional or I wouldn't have fronted them my money. It's also NOT a kit which is a positive point.
Some of their selling points:
According to co-founder Michael Armani, a bioengineer Ph.D., the Micro resulted from years of constant dialogue between engineering, arts, and manufacturing - how to make a good looking device while keep the cost low? This led to 15 innovations in the field of 3D printing. One of them is a special Micro Motion Technology, a sensor system that measures and correct position errors, providing inteligent positioning feedback for precision. This technology allows the team to use fewer and lower cost components to achive better performance.
The Micro 3D printer also features the use of carbon fiber rods for a rigid and lightweight build. Other innovations include an aerospace grade ceramic heater system that allows the printer to heat up to print temperatures in seconds in a very confined space, a multi-calibration system ensuring reliable prints and concealed filament compartment for swaping out filament with ease.
The Micro is space efficient, that it is ~10 times lighter that other printers, reducing material and shipping costs. In addition The Micro is designed to use less energy. Co-founder David Jones says it uses only 5 volts and 15 watts (3A).
Most space-efficient 3D printer ever made.
Light-weight, portable design fits nicely on your desk.
Custom micro motion chip provides completely automatic leveling and calibration.
Quietest 3D printer ever made.
Lowest power consumption 3D printer ever made.
Carbon fiber rods: light, sturdy, self-lubricating and long-lasting
Ceramic heater for rapid heat-up, power efficiency, reliability and safety.
Replaceable print beds for alternative materials.
Replaceable nozzles for experimenters.
Designed for fast assembly in the US for quality control.