My first sewing machine is a White. In fact, it's White 2221. I worked for almost a year to save the $600+ (back then that was a lot of money)
Now this machine has been thru the mill and back, dropped, moved, in a car wreck, stored, caught out in rain and the list goes on.
I've taught many people how to sew on my White. It weighs about like a Mac truck and sews like a dream to this day.
Back in "those days" White was the "affordable" Husqvarna Viking machine.