First decide what you want the machine to do. Zigzag? dec. stitches? Thread cutter. Make a list. Then find a machine that will fit the bill. What will you do most? Piece? sew on knits? If you will only piece quilts and want to do FMQ then i suggest a Juki 980. Love my machine. No computer to go bad. Only straight stitch at 1500 rpms. Has a bigger throat. Only you can decide the features you NEED.