A laser system based on a common platform capable of being tailored to meet specific application requirements through simple and flexible means is disclosed. The output beam characteristics of the laser source are fully determined by a plug-in module that can be easily replaced on demand to modify one or more of those output beam characteristics. A connection module provides a robust, flexible and detachable connection between the common laser platform and the plug-in module, thus ensuring stable and well defined laser output beam without precluding on demand adjustment of its characteristics. Several embodiments are disclosed for a laser system with single or multiple output beams both with similar or dissimilar characteristics.