do not compromise on the thread cutter.
i tried that once. really did ... because of the cost savings between with and without.
couldn't stand going without it. sold with "without" and shopped around until i found a "with" in my budget.
this is the machine i bought. i paid less than today's going price but it has so far proved to be worth every penny. the only thing i've found to complain about is that it does not go easily over bulky seam intersections. i've had it for more than 3 years, so that's saying something.
https://www.amazon.com/Brother-PC420...unway+PC420PRW