A good friend of mine talked me into getting this because they had only one left and she got one too.I got it for about $500.00 less than the original price.It has a free standing accessorie case that attaches to the machine.It has 204 stitches including 10 alphabets The activa 240 has 256 stitches including 10 alphabets. It cost a whole lot more. I bought the floor model,so I got a great deal.I can later get the knee operated bar that raises and lowers the feed dog so you can keep your hands on your fabric when guiding and pivoting. It was extra. I hope that I will enjoy it because they say they are really the top of the line machines.No plastic parts,all metal.That is all I have learned about the Bernina so far. Everyone says that it will be the last machine that I will ever need. I know one thing for sure..My husband hopes so.