I'm in the market for a straightforward multiplate reader (96/384-well) which can detect standard colorimetric assays such as HRP ELISAs as well as luminescence assays. We don't need high-throughput and will be using standard lab consumables for these basic assays.

It should have few issues with edge well variability and quite importantly, have software which is written for biologists, NOT engineers. Some sort of decent GUI with various export functions would be nice. I'm expecting people to crunch their data at their own computers.

The footprint is not an issue, but to have the machine run by an external PC would be great as we could then also use it for other small machines like a nano-drop spectrophotometer.