You will find so much information here on this subject it will make your head spin. Unfortunately, only you know your circumstances. Brother makes some very good lower-end machines. I own three and the only problem I've had with them (one is mechanical the other two are computerized) is bobbin and tension. Others will say the opposite. So, do your cost/benefit analysis, withing your budget constraints, and decide. Good luck and keep us posted as these are the kind of choices many of us are interested in.