I bought the Janome 7700 because of all the features and that it had a wide throat so I could quilt on it. Previous to that I had an inexpensive Janome ($400) and had had it for about 10 years. A teacher in a quilt workshop said it was not much more than a toy. (I was offended.) Now the girls in my quilt class are trying to talk me into buying an embroidery machine. I know they do lovely work but as I say to them I want to learn everything my7700 has to offer. It makes me happy and for straight stitch I still have my toy.