I went out yesterday intent on buying the Brother PQ1500s after reading recommendations on it here. I ended up falling in love with the Janome Memory Craft 6600 P. It was more machine with more capabilities than I needed, but one thing I hadn't taken into consideration is that the Brother machine does not have the drop in bobbin. I also liked the additional capabilities of the 6600 with memory that you can combine stitches, program in the automatic lock stitches and thread cutting; the markings on the throat plate that help you to correctly place the fabric when piecing to make sure that corners of pieces will be able to be pressed flat, Accufeed system and the holder for cone thread. It did cost me about twice what I was thinking of spending and got it for a little over $1700 which included three optional feet, 1/4 inch Seam Foot And Straight Stitch Plate For AcuFeed (MC6600P), FMQ foot and the Ditch Quilting Foot. They are also offering the one year no interest payment option which I did. When I make the first monthly payment I will send the amount of what I had saved for a machine, about $700, and will then be able to pay off the rest before the end of the year's time. I'm excited. Good luck on the decision and your new purchase. There are really so many machines out there to choose from and so many differing opinions as to what's the best. It's a very hard decision. I hope my new machine turns out to be as wonderful as I think it will be!