I recently purchased a Brother PE780D. I got it for less than $1000 as the shop will not be selling them when their stock is gone. I have owned a Bernina Deco 650 for almost 20 years. I have about worn it out. Both are stand alone embroidery machines. I like the seperate machines as they allow me to embroidery while I am sewing on my other machines. My Deco was a Brother patent so the software fits my new machine. I have thousands tied up in designs that I would not be able to use with any of the combination machines. This new machine uses the PES format cards and also a UBS stick. It also allows me to do bigger disigns than my older machine. There is a model that is a little less expensive but this one includes built in Disney desgins. My only regret is that the hoops and extra goodies I purchased over the years for the older machine don't fit the new one. Like everything else these days there is always new technology.
No wonder our land fills are full of good but no longer "in" technology.