drill presses

i am interested in upgrading my drill press ... my main concern with my current model (a non-descript generic model some twenty years old) is its accuracy particularly related to the drill table position although i suspect there are other inaccuracies as well

i have drilled a holes through the table bracket and a few through the column at different heights and tapped them to 1/4 whitworth and have a bolt to stop the table moving but it is a clunky solution and one cannot just keep drilling holes in a thin column for every height setting one may want or else i suspect the column would eventually collapse.

my difficulty now, having decided to replace it is what it going to provide what i want ... i have searched here (threads started by lucky duck early 2014 seem to be the most relevant) ... i have looked (online) at the jet variable speed model (about $1600), at some geared head drills (about $2300-2800) and at parken (about $5000) ... i have also wondered whether a small mill might be the answer although i have no metalworking knowledge, i assume that they would be more accurate than woodworking specific machines

interested in some opinions

regards david