I would say yes. Ilove mine. I have the expresson 2 and still got the mini.

I am truly LOVING mine; I bought it, basically, for a backup for IF my Expression gives me any problems (I've had it three years). I have been using my Expression on my old computer (which I would like to donate somewhere at some point) with WINDOWS XP with CCR with no problems. It works great.

I have my MINI out in my rec room (it's so little, I have placed it on top of a shelving unit (faux wood-look finish) that holds about twenty 12X12" scrapbooking papers (pads). It fits right on top beside our newer computer, WINDOWS 7: 64-BIT. I had a little snag with it on the first CUT, but after I learned a setting that comes up when you hit CUT in CCR, it has worked perfectly ever since.

NOW, I have decided I really miss using my MARKERS with my Expression. I'm going to disconnect it from CCR in my old computer (even though it's working really great there, but I have decided for 98% of my cuts, the 8-1/2X11" mat will do just fine on my MINI). I'm so excited to get back to using the markers (because they define so many of our cuts and give the definition and faces ((on people/animals)) that I so desparately need to make everything look better). As soon as I get a bunch of pictures on my old computer saved to disk, I intend to get rid of all the stuff that goes along with my old computer--and give me back a portion of my craftroom/storeroom, for my sanity! I don't like things looking crowded--even though I have my craftroom/storeroom looking rather nice, anyway.

Those are only a few reasons why I'm truling LOVING my MINI!!

Char

I know what you mean, Diane, about what it costs to send it back. BECAUSE, when I bought my Expression in 2008, I got it and decided I had paid wayyyyyyyy too much money for it and decided I wouldn't even open it. Well, it wasn't going to cost the $399 I paid for it, but, I think it was $39 or something like that restocking fee!! I wasn't too happy, so I kept it. BUT, luckily for me in making that decision, I have been very happy with my Expression.

Diane, I'm sure that every company who produces equipment such as this KNOWS there are going to be people who can't use them; they just don't know for sure who will be that unlucky to not have all the correct peripherals, configurations, etc. that won't work with their programs. I've told you many times I don't feel good for you that you can't use your machine, because I think you really do want it to work.

I have gone to my WINDOWS XP (which works very well with CCR and with my MINI) I was wondering if you would be kind enough to tell us what edition/model of WINDOWS XP you have and what it tells you when you go to MY COMPUTER/right click in the open space where it shows all your drives and click on PROPERTIES.

Here's what I have:

Windows XP
Home Edition
Version 2002
Service Pack 3

I just wonder what the difference would be in my WINDOWS XP and yours. Maybe it can help some of us try to help you--since it seems you've tried all the other things we've thrown out to you.

Char

You should double check HSN's return policy. It is very liberal and now that it's the holiday season, it's even more so. When I returned my E2, within the return timeframe, I was given a refund minus $8.95 for shipping and the E2 weighs a lot more than the Mini. There should have been a label as part of the invoice that explains the return policy, procedure and costs.

Diane - If you go out and do a SEARCH for BitDefender, you'll see there are a lot of people having a lot of problems with it; BitDefender seems to block everything on all browsers in no particular order and for others very frustrated because they can't do what they want to do on their computers. Now, I know you said a very reputable company recommended this anti-virus protection for you; someone you trust implicitly. Perhaps there's something else going on with BitDefender that most users are not aware.

One person (in my searching) stated he UPDATED everything with BitDefender. You sound like you know everything is up-to-date, so it probably is, too. Is there a way you can get with your trusted seller to ask why you are having so much of a problem?

Do you use POP-UP BLOCKER--it minimizes ads popping up on your computer. Every now and then, after I have told turned it off, it reverts back to allowing ads to pop up on my computer. It makes me soooooooooo mad. Is there any chance you have a lot of ads popping up on your computer and BitDefender is seeing those when you're trying to do things, so they're running scans on your computer? I hated this when NORTON was doing it to me, early on when I started back up with them.

I changed my settings in NORTON to run scans EVERY NIGHT--at 2:00AM in the morning, when I'm in bed. Maybe it would help to have BitDefender update for you every night instead of just once a week?

Char