I would get the pc-420, the machine is for you not your husband. The reason is the cs6000i is not as nice as the pc-420. it doesnt have the ability to adjust presser foot pressure, doesn't have the advanced needle threader like the pc-420, doesn't have the automatic thread cutter, and has way more plastic. Also with the pc-420 you can get the knee lift. The cs6000i also has a smaller throat. The se-400 does not have an extension table you can purchase for it and also has a small harp. I have had many borthers, I have one now that is similar to the cs6000i and I had the qc-1000 which the pc-420 has a lot of the features of it listed above and while my sq9050 is an awesome achine, I do miss the perks when I sew on it compared to my fancy machine.