I've had the VP 112 for about two years now. its not small or large but definately not portable, unless you have big guns and a strong back. The unit gets used at least five times a day. Its great for practical use: sealing left overs, Sous Vide, packagaging bulk items but also excells at magic tricks that a "food saver" could only imagine. The vacuum is adjustable and it will accomidate sealing wide mouth canning jars.
Unless you've used a chamber vac, its normal to compare it to a "food saver" but the flexibility and power that if offered with the chamber lends itself to so many other kitchen uses. Sealing up unused bulk spices. packaging sauces, facilitating brining, marinading and curing.