Well I think she has a wonderful little machine and I think the company did a very good job making it user friendly especially for those with disabilities. And honestly the throat space looks to be the same if not bigger than the original. I think because it is "C" shaped that it looks to be smaller than it really is.
But you have to admit that the "C" throat would make it a lot easier to work with larger pieces like place mats and so forth when your quilting them. I can not tell you how many times I have to stop and roll my material up when I get to close to the throat on my 15 when I am FMQing, its like hitting a brick wall. I have thought several times about making some sort of piece to put next to my throat to help make my material curl or roll as I quilt.
Trust me it takes a lot to impress me with any new fangled sewing machine, and I am a purist through and through. But this is no different than Dodge putting out the new Challenger or Ford with the Shelby Mustang.
Same company, Same name, Same car, Different technology.
Billy