Glowforge Pro Laser Cutter and Engraver Machine with 45W CO2 Laser - Ultimate Power Engraver with Cooling for Fast Engraving on Wood, Leather, Metal, and Stone

This entire company is one misleading thing after another. You are required to use a web based app that connects your device remotely to their system. On a basic level that is just a privacy and security concern. Without an internet connection you have $6000 paperweight. This is not advertised or even mentioned in any materials I have seen. It’s not compatible with third party software like lightburn. They do not have an “app” that you can use without going to their website. Which means anything you upload is available to them. I am just not okay with only finding this out after I spent a ton of money to get this laser. If it was an app from inside my own network it would be fine. There is no reason this should work like this other than as a means of accessing your network. I have what equates to a $6000 coffee table now. I didn’t open it until it was past its return date. Called tech support and they have no way to correct the issue. Buyer beware. If you are running a business or just want a secure network. Do not buy this device. It’s useless.

If you don't know how to use this don't buy! I spent 6k on something that sits in my closet and doesn't get used at all. Because it is very complex to figure out even with the app and the community.

Update: after quite a bit of back and forth with customer service, glowforge has agreed to bend their rules and send me a refurbished unit at no cost. I will provide further updates on the functionality and longevity of the machine once it arrives. I got a glowforge pro back when their price was cheaper than or comparable to a lot of the lasers from overseas. I only used it for two tiny cuts before major life changes meant it was in storage for a long time. In that time, the glue on the lid detached and the glass on lid is now entirely separated, making the machine inoperable. Based on the user forums (and even other Amazon reviews), this is not an isolated incident, but is a relatively common problem that is a design and manufacturing issue on their end. billed itself as a better quality laser with more customer support than overseas manufacturers. That’s a complete joke. Their only solution is to insist on replacing my virtually new and unused unit with a refurbished one, with no promises that the laser tube would be equally unused, and only a 90 day guarantee. If the laser tube runs out or the refurbished machine has a different problem after 90 days, then I’m right back to having to pay another $1600 for yet another refurbished unit. I can get an entirely new unit from overseas for less than that, and remember this is all to fix a problem with their own design and manufacturing. They refuse to allow anyone to drop off or pick up units, which requires shipping costs to be included in the total, and they refuse to repair individual units. So they want me to pay $1600 for a heavily used refurbished machine, just to get a lid that isn’t falling apart. Don’t waste your money on a glowforge, just get a better, cheaper, more powerful laser that has universal parts you can replace at home if needed and doesn’t require you to use their internet server to run it. Glowforge has terrible customer service and does not stand behind its products.

Glowforge lies about the true ability of their machines. They continue to sell their machines after they know of a design flaw and they do not fix it even on refurbished machines that they send out. Their machines are overpriced for what you can get on the market for the same cost and their support is not helpful.