Every brand can produce a lemon now and then but in my opinion, Janome has the best machines on the market. I still think you should take some fabric (different weights and types) and test it to see if you are happy. I personally don't like Jukis - not because of the machine, but the manuals for the ones I have used are the most incredible mishmash of ill written verbage I have ever seen!
Don't worry about computerized machines - they are wonderful!