I find it interesting that when I mentioned one specific measure my statement was then applied to the whole machine. If I am wrong about the engraving quality will someone please at least mention some facts or even documented subjective evidence to show otherwise? Did we lose our critical thinking all of a sudden? Maybe I am a bit late in this conversation for where the facts where mentioned...
The glowforge lists 1355 dpi with a .006 in min spot size (roughly the same as a 2in focal length lens). Considering that Trotec recommends 500 DPI for engraving photos, why does it stand to reason that the glowforge can't get a higher quality engrave than what Trotec users are getting? I am also thoroughly impressed with Trotec and specifically the HPDFO lens from ULS (.001in spot size at 2in focal length). I am sure their hardware is capable of higher quality engraves but whether their software is making full use of that is a separate question. Just because software allows settings to be tweaked in a million different ways to get the best results also doesn't make it as accessible to some people as software that makes the right adjustments for you most of the time.
Note that I didn't say speed or best overall. Just engraving quality. Having the variable focal length could also allow one to engrave with a smaller spot size and cut with straighter sides without having to switch lenses in my mind. As we know, engraving quality is just as much about the software as the hardware. Just look at the K40 with custom software
http://www.instructables.com/id/True...Laser-Cutter-/. Same tube but night and day difference in range of grey scale.
My statement would be like comparing the ergonomics of a Hyundai seat with a Ferrari seat. They are designed for different purposes and although the Ferrari might be the higher quality car, if you are really skinny and short, maybe the Hyundai would have a more ergonomic seat. That doesn't mean I think the Ferrari is overpriced or inferior to the Hyundai.
Although if anyone has a multiplayer boxing game online that could make this discussion more enjoyable lol.
By the way I just had a real sample of a Trotec engraving in my hand yesterday at lunch. One of our materials guys was at a trade show yesterday. I guess I must be blind and unintelligent to make such blasphemous claims! One fact is that 1000's of these Glowforges have been sold and many more will be sold. The product has found a niche not just among uneducated inexperienced people but even among some laser professionals. They haven't sold all their old machines I doubt, but instead have found specific uses that the glowforge is a better fit for. The question isn't if that niche exists but only what are its limits. If we as a community don't learn to understand how to recognize that niche than for many people online looking to get into laser cutting, we will be discredited due to either our arrogance or ignorance. For the purposes of this community that may not matter but I think we would be better off to welcome them, their crazy ideas of what you can do with a laser and their questions. There might come a day soon when there are more glowforges in north america than chinese lasers. I know that I could still just browse the glowforge forum to see what they are up to but this community likely has a different skillset than most glowforge users. I look forwards to hearing their questions and reading intelligent answers.
My guess is that niche is for people that appreciate intuitive software and technical support more than raw machine capabilities but can't pay the price for a top of the line machine or can't fit one in their home.