Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I'm a big fan of cutting machines. I use them in my business: Selling stencils and making stencils and specialitiy multi-media wood signs. I already have the Brother Scan N Cut 350 and the Brother 650 (available only at sewing stores/no online). I purchased the Cricut Maker to see the differences. THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENCES!!! But the Cricut is good, in it's own way. My Brother Scan N Cut 350 paid for itself in 8 weeks with online sales (Amazon/Ebay) of stencils and signs I was able to sell. I'm about 1/2 way done (in two months paying for the Scan N Cut 650/$750.00)....The Cricut is amazing, too,....but different. The Brothers are STAND ALONE MACHINES/no computer needed. I left a big review on Amazon of the 350. You have a screen which guides the whole process. This frees up your computer for sales, marketing, emails, etc. The Cricut Maker MUST BE HOOKED UP TO SOME KIND OF COMPUTER or smart phone. I bought a small $200 tablet, and set it next in between my big computer and my Cricut Maker. The tablet uses the existing Wi-fi already in the house, and does not cost me anything extra each month. TO USE THE CRICUT, YOU MUST SUBSCRIBE TO CRICUT DESIGN SPACE. No if's, and's or but's. It is $5/mo for fonts only, and $10/mo for fonts, images, etc. Some images cost more money each. The big plus the Cricut Maker has is all the fonts. My oh, my....SO MANY FONTS for the Maker and in Cricut Design Space. The Brother 350 has about 10 fonts, the 650 has about 16 fonts. The Maker has tons and tons. For someone who makes their living doing graphic design, stencils, and wood signs...the Maker/Design Space is paradise. Now that I invested in the $200 tablet, my Maker also has a "screen" ., like my Brother does. Using Cricut Design Space is definitely SLOWER than using your Brother Scan N Cut ('cuz others are using it worldwide, too...not just you). Both Maker and Brother cut: cardstock, vinyl, kraft paper, light woods, felt, fabric, etc. You just need to purchase proper blades. That is the same. Both Maker and Brother require you to tend to/take care of your cutting mats. Light mats for light items, strong mats/adhesives for heavier items. Sooooo, if you are just starting out: Brother Scan N Cut 350 is good to learn/no computer required and no monthly fee. Brother 650 is even better, but about double the price...and you'll have to drive 30/60 miles to a sewing machine store to get it. No computer/no monthly fee. When you're ready to rock...then the Maker. $400 for machine, another $100 for all the blades/mats. Then a computer/smart phone/tablet to actually have a "screen"/$100-$200; then the monthly fee: $5/$10......If you like to be able to cut AND use your computer/phone simultaneously, you might not like it. I'll be making a Youtube video soon to show people all 3 of my machines: Cricut Maker, Brother ScanN Cut 350 and Brother ScanNCut 650 and see the differences....SO FAR SO GOOD. Like it.