I forgot to mention:
Make sure you can BOND with whatever machine you choose. A friend bought a machine and she never could bond with it. It is an interesting piece of dust collecting/space occupying/nonfunctional furniture. Every time she thinks about it she gets upset.
I agree. Take the time to go to a bigger quilt show venue where you can test drive the different machines and ask all the questions you want to see what kind of services they provide.
ali