Use a serge protector power strip. Unplug the machine during a storm.
S

I have an old Singer 401 slant o matic that I use everyday for several hours a day, doing all my piecing on it. Love that machine. It sews beautifully and is very easy to maintain, a real workhorse. I bought it at a thrift shop for 40.00 in a cabinet. I have a new brother (electronic) that I use maybe once a week, mainly for decorative stitches or quilting small items. For me the brother has too small an area around the needle and I have trouble getting my hands in there to thread or change feet or needles which is a pain. I just got a hopping/darning foot for the 401 and am trying it out for quilting. My other newer machine is a Viking Mega Quilter I have on a frame for quilting. Love that one too.

What you are describing sounds like a Janome Magnolia (not sure about the thread cutter). Janomes are not thread sensitive. No, I'm not a dealer.:) I'm just sold on Janomes.

If you do a lot of garment sewing, sometimes computerized might be better - I do heirloom and my Pfaff does have a decent pin stitch. And I can make up my own decorative stitches. But I can't adjust foot pressure. I can do top tension, and adjust the bobbin (vertical) but can't change the pressure. Pfaff is assuming that IDT will take care of it.

However, even most mechanicals come with some great stitches which shouldn't limit you. If I can get my hands on a zigzag machine, I can do applique, cutwork, couching, etc. which seems to surprise a lot of people. I look for older books with manual techniques. You can take a continuous quilt stencil and use the bean or triple straight stitch for a good effect on a garment. I use it for quilted sweatshirts from scratch. Just takes more patience.

I like vertical bobbins anyway, and most mechanical machines have that. You can also adjust foot pressure on some. You can adjust the bobbin feed far easier, too.

if it were a sports car, I'd not have power steering nor would I have an automatic transmission. This Mercury Marquis I have now is yet another story!

I would look at the machines that have feed dogs on the top and bottom. I think they are called pfaffs.

love both types of machines.
Test Drive them

ohhhhhhhhhhhhh the threading and changing feet. A few more pains down the road, and I'm going to be first classed mess.

I myself have been trying to decide whether to buy a new portable, looked at them the other day, the fancy stitches, well my old 60's universal can do those and I don't have to trim my nails, I've been having fits with my Sons new stove with the touch panel. Have never replaced (knock on wood) anything other than the belt, bought some new feet and keep it oiled.

Use your knuckle.

Personally I won't have a machine without needle up/down or the ability to move the needle position. I had a Montgomery Wards 1958 mechanical. It was fine for garment sewing. It was not at all fine for quilt piecing. You couldn't sew a straight quarter inch seam on that machine to save your soul. The needled didn't move over so to sew a quarter inch seam your fabric was on only one feed dog. I bought a Pfaff and discovered it really wasn't me, that I actually could sew a straight seam.