I have a Bernina 640 and love it!

I vote for the Janome 350e...it is an embroidery only machine..I have a 300 and I love it...it does up to 5 x7 and I think I will be satisfied with this size...even if you decide to move up to a more expensive machine..this one would be a great starter for you and it is more economical than some of the more expensive combination machines...

I have the Babylock Essante and also the Bernina 640. I love the Babylock and it is very easy to use with the computer to download designs (direct without a special program). Not so crazy about the Bernina and it requires a program to be able to transfer designs to the machine. I purchased the Bernina to take the place of the Bablock but I will keep the Babylock instead.

I have the Janome 200E, the hoop is 5.5 X 5.5 inches and there is a smaller hoop. I looked at the 350E, but for what I wanted, the 200 was all I needed.

Given the problems I had with the first machine,(it was replaced with a new one) and the lack of customer service I won't ever buy from Janome again.

If you would like a used one, try looking on craigslist for ga. Someone in athens has a quantum futura for sale for $450. I have never bought anything like that online and don't know if this is in your buget. It looks like it was posted today.