Difference between embroidery, quilting, sewing machines?

So, I want/need a new machine.  But I have NO idea what to get.  What is the difference between a regular sewing machine and an embroidery machine?  And what about a quilting machine?  Is it stitch speed?  Is one more durable?  I just don't know.  I heard that they all can be used for "sewing."  My poor machine whines and struggles with anything think or heavy fabrics.  Any advice?

Embroidery machines can sew out fancy pictures in embroidery thread. Often they come with "embroidery hoops" that you sew into.

Quilting machines often concentrate on things like being able to drop the feed dogs and move the fabric around beneath the needle freely to make pictures with lines of stitches.

A machine that focuses on garment sewing will have things like buttonholes and stretch stitches for sewing knits.

Often machines combine these features - you can get many machines that will drop the feeddogs and make button holes.

What machine you want kind of depends on what type of seiwng you're interested in-  quilting?  garment sewing for yourself?  sewing stuffed animals?  sewing bags?

I'm new to sewing and thinking of upgrading my old Kenmore.  Can a machine that quilts also sew knits?

What I recommend:

Budget

I would then look at what type of sewing you are doing.

I started on my Mom's old Kenmore, then I used my babysitting money and got a $10 machine at a garage sale. Got rid of that when I got a lower end Kenmore for graduation. Upgraded to a low end New Home. Then a top of the line Pfaff. At the same time I got the top of the line Bernina. The Pfaff is a doorstop now. I have several Berninas. All are great. I got three of them used (one from a Viking Dealer ---needed repairs, one from EBay-major repairs!! and the other from the Bernina dealer (less than $200 and it purrs like a kitten, and it is from 1952~!

So, I guess what I'm saying is, try to sew what you are going to actually do before you buy. Buy the best you can afford. Do your research. Is the machine plastic inside or metal? You'd be surprised. Don't try and buy the first time, shop around and ask around. I got the Pfaff because my Mom had one. Didn't like it after I had it for a while. Not user friendly. Also, very important--what kind of customer service/follow up is there? Do you have to pay for your machine classes? Are they free? Can you take it more than once, is it a 15 minute class or a six week class? Bring in your own fabric, thread, etc.

good question.  I have a Viking Designer SE that includes embroidery attachment.  It embroiders great, but struggles when I use it to quilt.  Lately I have noticed it getting finicky about piecing, especially when I have several pieces all coming together.   The real ticket is to figure out what you want to do most and find a machine that is best for that.  Just my opinion but Viking seems to be targeted to Embroidery and fashion (clothes).  A dealer told me that Pfaff is oriented to Home Decor.  I don't know for sure, but think that Janome is oriented to the quilting market.  That is what I am trying to find out now in my post today.