Most Brother machines that don't have the USB port to connect to the computer, work with PED basic. This is a hard ware that connects to the computer. It comes with an empty card. You can buy designs on-line (or pick them up free) and load them into the card. The card then goes into the machine. You can load several designs at a time, depending on the size. I have a PE750 and love it.

I got the brother PE780D (just like the 770, but it is the disney version)

The only reason I went with this model is the usb port.

I paid extra for the machine, but I don't have to buy any programs for the computer to format/use patterns from the internet. (the basic program is $100)

I've used stuff that came with the machine as well as internet patterns (my fav site is embroiderylibrary)

=)

edited to add -- you HAVE to buy a disney machine to do the disney designs. even if you buy disney cards they only work in disney machines. That's why i bit it and paid $$$ -- but i'm glad i didn't settle.

After nearly 3 months of playing and using my new Brother PE770.. I love it!!! I do wish at times to have a larger hoop.. but the 5x7 does a lot and I have found so many tricks to make it easier. the 770 has the USB port and I down load all the designs I want from WEB.. The Embroidery Library has specials everyweek with designs for $1 and code words that gives you 50% off.. Also a few free designs each week. I now have a great library of designs..

I bought a disk on e-bay of PES designs .. works great.. and have over 10,000 designs on it.. and they are good designs..

I am finishing a quilt I am making in next few days.. it has 9 panels of SunBonnet Sue blocks around each panel. I will post photo as soon as I finish it.. Look for SueBonnet Sue quilt in picture area in next few days..

I have a Singer Futura CE 100 which I upgraded to a CE200, connects to my computer and will accept most embroidery designs, at Emblibrary if the one you but doesn't work well you can change it to a different format and download it again, fer nuttin'. The only thing I don't like is it doesn't have a very large hoop.