I agree it's tricky !
The type of machine is sort of related to what kind of "coffee maker" you are likely to be yourself. Do you want something that will make you a good consistent drink without a lot of effort, or are you going to be a "hobbyist" who likes the process as much as the result (some people more so!) and just maybe - likes to tinker a bit.
Do you want the easiest to use (probably a dual boiler). That's what I finally ended up with, and would have saved myself money by getting one in the first place.
Trickier, but more versatile if you learn to use it properly, an HX machine - more versatile in that with practice, you can vary the temperature of the brewing water from one pull to the next - real coffee hobbyists like this feature as they can experiment more. I discovered I'm not a tinkerer, and sold mine.
A spring lever machine (don't think one has been suggested, and frankly unless you get a good used one, they are well out of your price range) which has the romance of Italian Coffee bars of the 1950's
or
A hand lever which has its proponents, but drawbacks with some models (you've already been advised in an earlier post) such as rapid overheating.
Also, with this kind of expenditure, you want something that's going to be reliable, has a warranty, and most importantly good after sales service just in case. When you get to the more expensive machines the parts that may fail are likely to be pretty industry standard anyway.
Put all of that in the mix ! Don't think anyone on here can tell you what will suit you personally though, only what they would go for themselves.
Will your girlfriend be using this too ? Even more complicated in that case 'cos you both have to agree