best electronic die cutter for custom designs

After reading tons of reviews, I recently bought the Craft Robo / Silhoutte SD and returning it! I am a graphic designer and wanted to find a machine that was compatible with my own design software (adobe illustrator) and could easily use my images and files. I never could get an import to cut!!
SO--i am looking for recommendations out there for those that have die cutting machines and design and import their own images (not designing in the machine's software)
I understand portability is a big issue in a lot of reviews but I don't go to crops so that is not a factor for me. Ease of software and importing files is my largest issue with a good customer service support being my second.
Please help!! THANK YOU!!

I'm going to suggest you look into the Pazzles Inspiration. It does cost more than the Silhouette - which I also had to return for a different reason - but it does cut 12x12. Comes with everything you need to get started right out of the box. The blade will cut paper, lightweight chipboard, and even balsa wood. Additional accessories allow you to emboss up to 12x12, use a marker you already own, or engrave on acrylic. I don't own or use Illustrator, but there are quite a few people on the message boards who use it successfully with their Pazzles. You can check out http://scrappingklo.blogspot.com for lots of great tips, She's pretty good at responding to questions and as a past member of the Pazzles design team she's pretty knowledgeable about the product.

I would also recommend the Pazzles! My sister has one and we both absolutely love it. So far it has done everything we've wanted it to do and more!!! She creates her own images with it all the time. She also imports images she finds elsewhere and usually has no problem cutting those out as well.

I have a Silhouette SD and I love it!

cricut and sccal all the way

The Gazelle is also well worth looking into.

I love my Sil SD!