I have mine in an 8 x 16 foot shop.....kinda cramped behind it but I live with it. I don't do the pantos that require you to stand behind. I leave it up all the time. DH would shoot me if I said I was wanting it taken down. he said it has to go "with the house"...LOL My longarm has a computer program.....and that is complicated to make sure it's all hooked up right.
I agree with other...go to the shops or conventions and look them over. I thought I wanted to upgrade to a Gammill or APQS...but took a class that had an APQS and decided I really don't need one that big! My machine is a Pfaff 18.8. She didn't do ANYTHING in the class that made me want a bigger machine....the designs will work just fine on my machine. Also - the APQS was so noisy.........nope, don't want it.