Singer 401 is - arguably - the BEST overall machine Singer ever made. There are other machines that might do one thing or another better than this machine- and to be honest I do prefer a vertical bobbin - but for in the Best Overall category, you just can't beat this machine.
Every time I have a temporary new favorite machine, I'll come back to the 401 and remember why it's the best. If only it had a vertical bobbin, it would be absolutely 100% perfect in my book!