Thanks for everyones input, but I am even more confused. Maybe it is because the benchtop planers have inproved greatly over the years. The 12 inch Makita I currenty own works ok on soft woods. But from day 1 it was weak. The feed rollers get a little resin on them, and you have to manhandle the piece thru. So when I hear that some of you like the benchtop over a stationary, I cannot understand how that can be. Have the benchtop units gotten that good? For me, If I upgrade, I want to upgrade!!! I would not want to spend the money to buy another benchtop and regret it.