Homebrew PCBs

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this group.  I have quite an extensive Electronics 
backround behind me, and I do alot of my own self-designed projects 
at home.  I'm starting to get tired of stripboard now, it's ok and it 
does the job, but as I'm sure you're all aware, as soon as you start 
trying to make compact designs or particularly large circuits, or 
even if you just want to duplicate an old one, StripBoard becomes a 
real pain.

I'm currently looking into getting hold of some PCB developing 
equipment for my home workshop, and I have around £500 (max) to 
spend.  The only trouble is, there are many different types at 
different prices, and since I've never used any of them before I 
don't know how the performance of one compares to another, and infact 
I have no idea what performance to expect at all from a home 
developer!  Do they ever come out like proper PCBs?

Obviously I'm hoping to spend as little as possible, but that said 
I'd rather spend the full £500 and know that I've got a good quality 
piece of equipment that produces good PCBs, than spend less money and 
have a rubbish piece of equipment.  Can any of you advise me on what 
the difference is between the different types of developers, and what 
their advantages/disadvantages are, and how much I should expect to 
pay?  Also, what is the quality like on the finished boards, in 
comparison to a production PCB?

Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Brian.