Most of the people I know who have featherweights love them although their owners seem to me to spend an inordinate amount of time fiddling with repairs/adjustments of some kind or taking them to the shop. Saying that will not make me a popular poster! If I needed a portable, I would go to WalMart for a Brother. There are several models at different prices and the people who bring them to sewdays, workshops, etc., seem to enjoy them. My machine is a Janome 4800 and I love it. froggyintexas