I've just treated myself to a Brother Innovis 10 - it does everything I want it to. It cost around 300 euros - I bought it in Holland. Brother & Janome came out tops in the Which? report on best buys sewing machine. What you really need to do is find a shop where you can sit down & try out as many as possible - I found this hard in Switz as there was no choice other than a Bernina. My machine does everything a Bernina can for a fraction of the cost - in fact with the 'change' I bought an overlocker. Ok Berninas run forever apparently - but my last sewing machine was over 30yrs old (it was my mums too!) but frankly it was a dinosaur & you needed a forklift to move it. Does owning a Porsche make you a better driver? No - so don't feel pressurised into buying a Bernina!

I would also lean towards a mechanical rather than a computerised machine - this is purely from a maintainence & things to go wrong stance.

I also think You may be aswell trying to source your machine from the UK as the £/Euro is very weak & theres bargains to be had - find yourself a chum who's driving back over Christmas.

Another source of really good information is TheSewingForum.co.uk - I defy you to spend anything less than a few hours sifting through that website.

With the budget you have set you can afford to buy yourself you can afford to buy a really good sewing machine - go for it!