I have the older Janome Jem Gold. It has never given me one problem and it has been toted around to workshops/classes for years with many different people including children using it. I would choose the Janome made Kenmore or Janome brand for a portable machine. Not that other brands aren't great, I just know first hand about Janome. I have a FW and it's super easy to tote but no convenient extras at all.