My first machine was a Brother XL2600 and I loved it. No one in my family sewed at all so I taught myself solely from the Brother user manual... That's how well written they are! I honestly would still have that cute machine now if the power cords and amperage could have converted to the USA power. (I got it in New Zealand.) I sewed and quilted two twin size quilts on it and I don't remember having any problems.
The Brother machines are great.