What you need to do is go to the shop and try out the machine. Take with you, the types of fabrics that you will be using to try on the new machine. It's very important to test drive the machine before you buy (it's like buying a car) as each one of us has our preferences for machines, have two friends that LOVE their Vikings, me...not so much. I'm kindof stuck on Janome's. Welcome to the board.