Peaceandjoy, if you are used to a bernina, the jems probably seem under-powered? or absence of knee lift?? I won't be relying on the jem except for classes and if I need a beefier machine for a class, I have one I could haul in. i do like to sew outside and now and then for projects at daughter's home. I'd have gone with the 720 except not for $500. Kind of funny - Janome has a new machine - "Mod 50" - for $225 that has an amazing array of features over the jem gold and platinums too. It is light also, but bigger. i really can't understand the pricing! it SHOULD be a no-brainer to choose the mod 50 for same cost and get 10x more. But, for a full-featured machine, I don't want light and small so I guess i'll be ok.