It looks like Desktop Metals is the next evolution of what I first saw as thixo-molding, i.e. metal injection molding as they list M.I.M. materials on their web site.
Laser based systems are probably more along the lines of laser-sintering as opposed to laser cutting. I didn't realize that they had moved so far in such a short time.
Based on what I've seen in the past, most of these will require secondary machining processes for precision parts but it's a great cost saver for out of production components or early development prototypes.