I can't comment, either, on the specific machines you mention. I have an older Viking Platinum - about a step or 2 lower at the time to the comparable Viking model you are currently considering. I'm extremely happy with my machine. It does have tons of fancy stitches and some embroidery functions which I never use. I'm also normally a hand quilter but have done a couple of just plain diagonal quilting and it performs perfectly. I've sewn everything from sheer curtains to lined, backed, welted needlepoint Christmas stockings (read LOTS of layers on those!) and it never skips a beat.