Interestingly, one of the reviewers (who likes it) has an Original and a New Lotus. She reports that the throat space on the New is actually a hair larger than on the Original! The New is bigger, and the head is enlarged to the left for the recessed spool holder.
I would be doing piecing and general sewing on this, and taking it to class. I don,t need all the bells and whistles, and am looking at my first computerized machine. This has a limited number of built it stitches, and no option to add more. They seem sufficient to me now, but would I want more as my skill level with this type of machine builds?
I looked on line at other machines as suggested by Kathleen, and the ones suggested are way ouside of what I can afford. I am very taken with the new Lotus, but don't want to end up frustrated by the limitations or quirks of a cute-but-maybe-impractical machine!