I have a 1 1/2 hp Unisaw I bought forty years ago. I have used it a lot -- it has helped build a couple hundred cabinets and pieces of furniture. I've never found big need to upgrade to higher horsepower. Perhaps 3 hp would be good if I were regularly ripping 3"-thick hardwood with a high feed rate, but otherwise my existing power works just fine. So I'd suggest you buy the 1 3/4 hp PM1000, and not worry about it.