As a last check, have any experience with the Logan 700-S?
I own and use one of these, Dan.
Used to cut mats with a straightedge by hand. This is a huge improvement. I'm a very low-volume user, but this unit is capable of higher volumes than I run through it. However, it's not really intended for commercial-level production.
It's compact size is a big benefit in my cramped situation. Build quality is more than sufficient for its class. It comes with an instructional video on CD, but I never needed to watch it. Reading the included instruction manual was sufficient to get going.
I get about six or so clean cut jobs (6 jobs x 4 sides = 24 total cuts) before I must change blades. I don't use the included 90-degree cutter, preferring instead my rotary trimmer. The bevel cutter produces nicely consistent cuts. I'm no expert, but others have looked at my mats and asked what shop I had them cut at.
The production stops are useful, if you maintain consistent cutting parameters. Personally I don't. My mats always seem to be different, so I don't often use that feature. But it does work when I have used it.
I might advise buying a package of refill blades at the time of purchase. It only comes with five, IIRC.
Negatives? Minimal and minor. The adjustment scale for border widths is an adhesive sticker. Mine was slightly misapplied, so the distances require a small fudge factor. But I'm pretty anal, so YMMV here.
And mine also came slightly out-of-square from the factory. But instructions are included for user resquaring. I grabbed my carpenter's square, followed the instructions, and the unit has been good-to-go ever since.
For it's intended audience, low to moderate volume photographers, I think it's a good bang-for-the-buck deal. I'd recommend it and would buy it again.
Ken
[EDIT] Oh yes, one more thing. If you usually purchase bulk mat board and cut it down yourself, bear in mind that this unit can only handle sheets up to a maximum of 20-inches wide. So if you purchase the common 32x40-inch size (or larger) you'll need to make the first cut using something other than the 700-S. This may or may not be a problem for your situation.
