When I went shopping about this time last year, I went with my list in hand of things I HAD to have on my new machine. I went with the fabric I was working on at the time, so I could test drive it with my fabric, not theirs. The one thing I learned here from all these kind folks was we are all different in the things that are important to us, so chose what is right for you.
I do not have a top of the line machine but I do have a very good one, for me. I found her sitting over on the shelf with the used/trade in machines. There she sat all by herself because she had been a store display machine. There is another name for them, but for the life of me I cannot think of it. She had all the things that came with her new, and even the large add on table. Does she do everything I wanted? Yes, but now I have thought of things I would have added to that list.
I am one of those folks that truly love all those decorative stitches and I use them. So the more stitches the better. lol.
But at the end of the day, no one can decide what is best for you, but you. Don't let the pushy sales folks steer you in the wrong direction. I was so lucky, the lady that helped me, was so nice, and continues to answer my questions, and help me even today. She let me try out every machine I was interested in. She told me the pros and cons, but never tried to convince me one was better than the other.
Good luck in your search. Have fun, and hope you find that perfect machine !!