Does anyone know how this compares to the Kitchenaid 9-speed model?

Both my KA Hand Mixer's 5 speed and 9 speed died after a year of very minimal use. I called Kitchenaid re: getting them repaired. I was told "We don't repair them, it's too expensive, not worth it." I still have my Stand mixers, but I am done with anything Kitchenaid. BTW, my mothers KA Hand mixer just quit working for no reason also. We had been a Kitchenaid family since the early 70's-no longer. No quality, nor customer service IMHO.

If you're like me, you will tear them apart before they even get a chance to start rusting. I crash through frozen butter, chocolate chips, and I pulverize the edge of the bowl if something stray gets stuck on it without being homogenized first. After the many beatings (no pun intended) I gave them, sometimes now I have to bend them back in shape so they wouldn't bang and clack against each other as I mix my latest batch of AWESOME. I probably use them 2 or 3 times a week, probably 20-30 times total, and I put them in the dishwasher every time. The weld point at the tip where the two wires come together has been broken by my abuse, but I just bend them back into the general shape they are supposed to be, and then turn them on even if they are still a little bent, as they smash together they will bend themselves free of each other. I'm buying another set of them though; not because I'm not perfectly happy with my poor abused ones, but just because sometimes my cookie cycles outpace the dishwasher cycles. COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOKIESSSSS

Is the lowest speed on this mixer slow and not at warp speed right off the bat like most mixers? I need something that starts out pretty gently.

I agree. Ingredients go flying all over my kitchen and me when on speed 1 even. Can't stand this mixer.

Is it true that the unit has no resting place to set it down?

This is the clear case you can keep after is cleaned. During using it the unit has flat bottom surface to stand it upright. I hope this answer your question.