I don't know if anyone still cares, 2 years and 20+ pages of discussion later, but...
After all the hub-bub I decided to buy one of these. That was many months ago and mine is still running strong and have had zero problems with the laser. I picked the earlier generation one, even though I was given the choice of the earlier generation or the later generation. To be honest, fiddling with the switch seemed to be a pain in the butt. I am glad I got the older version. I want to push a button and get the maximum beam immediately.
However.
When I got it, I plugged in the charger and it POPPED loudly and quit working. I had to ask them to send a replacement. Also, I had to ask them twice to send the free laser glasses and lens cleaner pen they promised. When it looked like those items wouldn't come, I put in a complaint with my credit card company.
Funniest part of the story- I got a full refund on the credit card, and a few weeks later all the stuff they owed me showed up. The laser has been working fine ever since, but I don't keep it on more than a minute or so at a time.
The beam is somewhat rectangular, but it's mostly just for showing off, not doing DIY holography :naughty: