I'm also looking at the Janome Quilt Maker Pro 18 because I've always loved Janome machines. I've owned them for over 30 years. My first was labeled New Home which was the only label Janome sold under in US at the time. My local repair and Janome sales person in my new neighborhood was showing me the same longarm you're talking about. I've seen Janome's Artistic with the software setup and it's nice but he only has this new one here. Janome makes many machines that are sold under other names such as Elna and Necchi, etc. I'm going to the AQS in Grand Rapids MI next week to look around and I'm hoping to get to try one out and find out more about it.