Hi Andy
STL files are an industry standard. 3D printers are being used by SATNOGS to make rotator parts. the main upside is when they wear out you can print more.
Regarding the magazine it probably works out at £800 or more all in. You can get a complete 3D printer assembled for less. There will be no reviews on that model until people have built it, probably better to just buy a kit or finished model.
In general there are issues with 3D printing and it cannot do everything like any tool. You can research more online but basic issues are:
1) You cannot print anything unless you have a 3D model, which is most of the work. 2) Generally most printers only print in plastic like lego plastic 3) They are very slow and take time to setup and often hours to print. 4) They cannot print certain things, The material "falls down" so you cannot print an overhang. There is work around such as parts you break off, but it does limit the type of things you can build 5) There is a limited max size you can make, normally quite small but there is also work a rounds.
In my local hackerspace I have access to two 3D printers, laser cutter and a lathe. I have yet to use them for any of my actual projects. With the 3D printer getting a model of what I wanted in a printable format was a stumbling block.
It's probably better to buy one as a club or group due to the cost and the fact it may not get much use. Most of what is printed are trinkets, or people messing about. If you get a really good one, and are good with 3D packages you can stretch the boundaries, and even send off your STL files to get the same item printed in metal on a professional model. I bodge stuff with plastic and metal all the time without needing a 3d printer.
I found it better just to pay a professional to make items such as aluminium brackets or welded shapes for one off projects. £800 would go a long way towards making parts needed. The SATNOGS guys are in the greek hackerspace so, as such, they have access to the printer for free.