I think if you don't cut much or for long periods the difference between pro and weekend might not be too apparent. Run a saw everyday, all day for a while and things like vibration, ease of chain adjustment, air filters that last a full shift, ease of starting, ability to idle in any position and ease of maintenance become essential. After a while vibration, not noticed at first, will leave your left hand unable to open on it's own. A saw that I've hiked out to a site and then will not hold an idle without spinning the chain or dies after a sudden full throttle let off will make the job much harder and ultimately will cost in time. That high dollar pro saw is worth every penny if used a lot and on larger jobs IMO. I think a pro saw is also worth the money if the owner just simply wants a quality piece of engineered equipment, never mind what the real need may be.
