I really like the Scotch Thermal Laminator.  There is a brief "warm" smell the first time you turn it on but its not super strong.  The outside of my machine never got hot to the touch just a little warm.  Laminating paper and photo paper both worked wonderfully.  The instructions are easy to follow.  The machine is very compact and I love that there is a place to wind the cord up and out of the way.  Great little machine!