I thought cross cut meant the shredder cut diagonal strips, but the strips are the same as a strip shredder's, just shorter. A photo on the box shows strips from a credit card looking like diagonal strips. But, credit cards must be inserted vertically and are cut straight up and down. Because the text and numbers on them are not perpendicular to the shredder blades, but parallel, the strips come out with text and numbers placed horizontally - easily readible.
Text and numbers have to be perpendicular to the blades when paper is inserted in order to avoid readible lines on the strips of paper. By now, most people are aware that 8x10 paper has to be folded or cut to fit the feeder entry of this shredder. I prefer to cut so that there is no fold to create strips twice as wide as the others. I also cut the strips when emptying the basket to make them smaller.
The blades get clogged and have to be cleaned if you shred a small stack of documents. But, taking everything into consideration, this shredder is a good buy and good quality. The price is cheap, it's sturdy but compact, and adjusting to perpendicular placemant, occasional blade clogging, and cutting or folding 8x10 paper are acceptable inconveniences. Amazon got it to me within 2 or 3 days with free shipping!