Don't fall for the hype. If you don't need 100s of stitch options don't pay for them. The more things one machine can do means the more things that can break down. Unless your spending 1000s for it. There is only a few basic stitch patters you'll go to all the time. Why pay for 90 fancy dress embroidery styles you may never use.
You tube is your friend. Not only can you research any machine your looking at. But you can learn tips and tricks. I've recently learned that it's possible to do a serge style stitch with a standard sewing machine. Yes, I have to run the same stitch through twice. But this saved me 100s when looking for a new sewing machine.
Link to serge style edges,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R0_AUTCiI8This next link is to an enormously helpful youtube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnO5K6AA2sY&feature=youtu.beAs for brands. I chose Singer because it's the machine my mom used. I now own that one. And it's the brand every professional crafter i know uses. I have a friend in the pro costume biz ( movie and tv ). But every machine she has costs way more than either of us really needs to spend. I'm not sure about the quality now. But years ago I was told, "I'll sew by hand before I use a Brother" by more than one pro crafter. To clarify. A pro crafter is someone who makes a living creating items for sale.
Learn as much as you can now. Before you make your choice. Happy Hunting! Look forward to seeing what you sew up next.