I had a Cricut and decided I would rather have a Silhouette. The Cricut cartridges are expensive and you don't have to use cartridges for the Silhouette. I think the new Cricut might not need cartridges either. I would just try to stay away from the cartridges because it really isn't worth the extra cost. The Silhouette seems to do more things.

Swimming into Second

I agree... the cricut cartridges are a hassle. I have one and it gets frustrating when I can't make exactly what I want because I need a different cartridge.

I have a cricut, and I love it. The cartridges are sometimes annoying to have to keep changing, but the machine does everything I want it to. I have used it to cut letters and shapes for my class, as a die-cut for our Mother's day project, and I use is A LOT for my own personal scrapbooking. I just started using it for class at the end of last year, I don't know what in the world took me so long to realize how much I could do with it there. I have not yet purchased any vinyl, but that is my next step. Hope that helps!

I love my Silhouette! I don't have to buy cartridges, I can use any shape, clipart, or font I want and it cuts just about anything. You also have the option to use color print and have it cut out those images. I bought mine on overstock.com, but Silhouette's website always runs specials. A new one is coming out in Early Fall! I would hate to buy all those cartridges!

Kristen
first-grade-teachers.blogspot.com

I have a cricut and I love it! I also have Cricut Design Studio - a computer program that lets you be a bit more creative, changing shapes, stretching, flipping, welding shapes together. It's wonderful! I use it for cards and scrapbooking but I've used it a lot this year with my bulletin boards.

Amanda
Second Grade Teacher

Thanks for posting about this!! I posted a while back on the same topic but didn't get that many responses!

Miss J
Smiles, Crayons, and Endless Stories