i have had my Bernina for 30 yrs and use it constantly. it is very user-friendly. it took me a while to get used to a Janome,(when i was away from home last yr and only had that brand to use), and it wasn't nearly as user friendly!! some brands thread easier, come apart easier to clean or change parts, don't loose their stitch. Bernina is motor driven, not belt driven, like some are....which means when the weather changes, you could have to adjust your machine's tension again on a belt driven machine.