Wow! Lots of answers, good advice and plenty to think about LOL
I have a Brother 4500D, I love it. Sewing, Embroidery and Quilting...I really had no idea how to Embroider (and only dabbled in quiliting and sewing) in July when I bought it, but wanted to learn and DH encouraged me to get the most out of a machine that we could afford. I would have went with the next one up, the Quattro but mostly the only difference was the camera someone else commmented on. So I jumped right in with the 4500
I have learned alot since the purchase and am very happy with it...it does sooooo much, I am still learning and discovering :)
Price wasn't too bad with a trade in (brother 450Q) it was about $3500.
I do agree with the poster that said go in like you are buying a car....test, test test
robin