before investing you should do a little traveling if at all possible and try out/check out as many different ones as you can find...then make a choice. just because mine works for me does not mean you would be happy with it. my mom has a sewing machine which cost over $5000 when she bought it (a long time ago) she loves that machine...I HATE THAT MACHINE!
it is an investment and should not be made just because joe-blow down the block says this one is a good one.... if you would not buy a car that way do not buy a sewing machine that way...you need to think of it the way a man thinks about his power tools...he knows to buy the best quality most expensive he can afford-so it lasts.
i am very happy with my HQ-16 which is a stand up system, not a sit down one; but really wish i had checked out a few more before getting the one i have...not because i didn't get a good machine, but because there is no where close for tech support or service.