Brother has a lightweight machine that is wonderful that is approx $350, the Innovis 40, last month Consumer Reports gave it a Best Buy rating.
It is only available from Brother dealers, and it is always best to buy from a dealer when possible.
That being said I have a Brother CS6000i from Walmart that was approx. $170 that I take to classes or sewing days away from home. It is fantastic, sews great, many decorative stitches, very lightweight. I did have to have the foot pedal/machine connection fixed twice due to a loose something or other but it was still under warrenty & a dealer fixed it without a fee.
If I didn't already have that machine I'd buy the Innovis 40 in a heartbeat.
Maire