There's no point in buying one of these mini machines if you want to repair things or make things at home. You're better off shopping around for a full-size basic model, and having a look in somewhere like Hobbycraft, for example. Something like a Brother machine is good (I've been using mine for six years now, cost me £78.00). The basic model now costs about £89.00 and the reviews are very good. Suitable for a beginner who wants a sturdy machine that's not overly expensive but copes with a range of fabrics and is simple to set up and use. The mini machines are usually not strongly built, a complete waste of money, and can't cope with a range of different fabric thicknesses.
