Superb printer, with outstanding Stamps functionality

I've been a dedicated Dymo user for 5 years, and most recently used a 400 Turbo for my home office. I would have been perfectly happy with that purchase but for Dymo's subsequent announcement of Stamps, a no-fee postage service for LabelWriter printers. More on Stamps later in this review.

I'd grown accustomed to printing Dymo's address labels, and the software's superb integration with my Mac's applications make it one of my favorite hardware utilities. It's just so simple to use and well designed. Anyway, the Twin Turbo lets you print two different label sizes simultaneously, freeing you from the hassle of swapping spools.

Ordinarily I wouldn't consider the Twin Turbo, since I usually print address labels only, and the larger footprint is a tad imposing on my cramped desktop. But the launch of Dymo's new "Stamps" service changed everything. The promise of doing labels and postage from the same unit immediately appealed to me, and I ordered one right away.

Setup was a breeze, and printing is consistently error-free. The software allows easy selection of which spool you want to print from, and it will prompt you (left spool vs. right spool) to prevent you from printing on the wrong sized label.

Let me now address the whole reason for buying a Twin Turbo, and that is Stamps. For years I'd wanted to embrace e-postage, but the outrageous vendor fees and minimum purchase requirements (e.g. Stamps.com) made it a foolishly impractical choice for someone like me who only uses 10-12 stamps a month. Dymo came up with a perfect solution: zero fees, elegant software, and simple, secure online ordering. The Stamps software interfaces perfectly with the 400 Turbo, Duo, and Twin Turbo models, and it prints like a charm. I can't say enough good things about this service! If you're always scrambling to figure out where you put the stamp booklet, then this service is for you.

To be fair, Dymo's one criticism is the cost of consumables. The printer itself uses a thermal printhead which never needs replacement, but the labels themselves can be pricey. The specialized postage labels (which are impregnated with a special dye that the postal service can scan) retail for $14 for a roll of 200 on Dymo's online store, but you can find them for much less if you shop around on the net.

Bottom line: great printer, elegant software integration, and an e-postage service that's second to none. If you've got the extra space on your desktop (8"x7") buy one of these gems. You won't be disappointed.