I have a Janome Memorycraft 350e, I love it. I also bought the
Embird Embroidery Program (which allows me to download the millions of freebies online) If I remember correctly, this model is priced at the high end of your price range.
When I bought it a couple of years ago, I embroidered everything in sight - nothing in my home was safe from me and my 350e LOL. I must admit that I haven't used it much recently, however, I have fallen in love with the speedy pillowcase tutorial that Jenny of Missouri Star Quilt has on Youtube. I've made several so far and everyone is getting a set of pillowcases for Christmas (with appropriate embroidery of course).