I have a brother, okay, I have two brothers, I love them both, though the older one I don't use as much any more, before Christmas both of them were on almost constantly. it really depends on what you are using it for, and when budgeting, add in all the extras that you need to use it, like when planning a quilt you need to add in thread and what have you, same with the embroidery, add in stabilizer, designs, thread, bobbins right off of the bat, as well as a program to help you manage your designs if it doesn't come with it, Hoop size, look into what you will be wanting to embroider.
I have been at it for almost 16 years so feel free to ask anything (though I still may not have the answer)
make sure that they are user friendly with you, what is easy for you may not be easy for me to use.