I have this machine without the computer. First longarm machine for me and I found it easy to learn, much more user friendly than other machines I have seen. Go to the APQS web site, there's new and used machines to get an idea of price and they have a great forum for all the advice you need. The APQS forum have used machines advertised. I am so glad I didn't buy something less that I may have regretted later. Maintenance seems to be very easy too.