wow this is probably too late now I just read the date you posted this but anyways I would not purchase anything but a barudan or tajima and I say this because I did the leg work myself I rang around to all the main embroiderers in town before I made a decision and they all used either Barudan or Tajima and as a general rule they said Barudan is good for flat work and Tajima is better for caps but the newer Barudans are on par now. Also because Barudans are a quality machine with a good service back up in most places around the world I would also not hesitate to buy a second hand machine if the budget doesnt allow for a newy. I have purchased both a new and a second hand Barudan and both sew out the best. Also I contracted to quiet a few embroiderers around town before buying and that also was good to see the different quality even from a tajima to a Barudan the quality was different.

Also as far as software I would recommend Wilcom and at a level of lettering and editing as that covers most things or entry level digitizing this is better brought new as its easy to get duped on that one when not familiar with the software and security devices ect.