Yes, by all means take her to look at machines and don't stop with the first thing you look at, look around., Janome makes a bunch of good machines, from less expensive (but still good) to top of the line and they are relatively simple to use. She should sit and sew some seams or something on different ones (brands and models) to get a feel for them. If she is a novice seamstress you want quality as well as ease of use. I haven't used the Brother's but have heard they are good machines, but have used Janome and did a lot of research before purchasing it and have not been one bit sorry with my purchase of it. A good machine and simple to operate and learn.
But this is something that she needs to be in on the decision making process. Good luck to you both and a Merry Christmas to you both. The Featherweights are a neat little older machine, but not what I think your wife might want for a first machine necessarily. I have one of those too and love it for some things, but not like my Janome machine.
themachinelady