APQS stands for American Professional Quilting Systems from Carol Iowa. I have a Mill that we bought in 2004. I love my APQS. I have had two problems with the machine in the 6+ years that we have owned it. Both of the times, the factory personnel in Iowa emailed the instructions for correcting the problem and also sent the parts to us right away. My husband cleans the machine after every other quilt and it runs smooth and has a really good stitch. I really think you need to contact the different machine companies and read their material. Then get to a show or a the Machine Quilters Showcase in the spring and try all the machines you would be interested in. Live a sewing machine, each machine is different and we are different too. Try them out and get what you like.