is this one suggested for a beginner

This would be a GREAT machine for a beginner. I've sewn for at least 60 yrs and have had machines that cost as much as $2,000, and to me this is the best. I'm an avid believer that one should read the manual first and recommend for you to do this. You will be able to nicely grow into this machine and should have no regrets with the purchase. I love idea that you can sew without using a presser foot, but can control your stitches on the front of the machine. Love to be able to see when the bobbin is getting low, various speeds, even some decorative stitches for you. It's quiet, fun, light weight for taking to classes, or for my motorhome. Can't say enough, I JUST LOVE THIS MACHINE, it's all I could ever want. Please read the manual. Hope this helps. JMD

how could 2,000 people give this a good review and another 150 absolutely hate the same machine?

Because it's a review, some reviews aren't anything more than "it sucks". But for only 150 people out of 2,000 people don't like or understand the machine, that's pretty damn good.

Depends what you want it for. Simple sewing like clothing or piecing quilt tops should be okay - putting quilts together NO! The throat is not big enough for free motion quilting and it doesn’t do well with bulky material. Your needle will snap, bobbin will have a nervous breakdown and you’ll get error codes that will make you want to pull your hair out when you try to clear them. But if you set on buying this model or the CS6000i here is the skinny - it is easy to use if you stick to the book or YouTube for help and FOLLOW the step by step instructions. It’s a cute machine for newbies but an albatross around experienced quilters necks

Can you embroider with this machine?

Even though this machine is not an embroidery machine, you can learn to do beautiful embroidery work on it by learning free motion embroidery. In fact, one of the cool presser feet that comes with this machine is the open toe darning foot, which is a bonus!... People who wish to embroider, use this foot to do so. You Tube has many fine videos that will show you how to do free motion embroidery, on a regular machine, with just an everyday wooden hoop. Just type in free motion embroidery tutorials in the you tube search area, and you will be busy for hours, learning to this method. Enjoy!