I also prefer a stand up machine. After having 2, I have found that the frame is also very important. My first frame did not have a dead bar. I found it awkward to advance the quilt, also the frame had aluminum rails which flexed. The tension on the sandwich was affected by the bowing, and if I tried to do any detailed quilting, I couldn't lean on the bars to steady myself. Find out how the sandwich is advanced. Make sure you have room on both sides to accomplish this.