we went tot the craft fair last year and they had the cricuit there, xyron actually makes one too, which is similar but smaller and cheaper, and the cartridges are cheaper too. Sisex is like a press really. The dies have pads with the shapes on them and you put the paper on this pad with a piece of perspects on top, you roll them or press trhem through and the shapes get cut into the paper. The sidekick is an other add on from what I understand. There is also one that does hook up to the computer, I am trying to remember the name, it has Robo in it. But that was about $800 too and you could use your co,puter to make the shapes, letters etc that you wanted and it laser cut them for you. It too was good but the $$$$ is the full stop!