So any thoughts on /diy/ laser cutters?

I know most in the affordable range aren't bad for their lasers but rather everything else being cheap chinese made boards and software. So how is the DIY way of laser cutters?

I'm curious on typical price, performance, and software for it.

And if there is any way around the optics as those seem a pain in the ass, I've seen small models just cut a fixed area so I would be cool with just filling that area to save material and time.