I have Schmetz in my Bernina and no problems.

I sew on a Bernina and have for years, we have 10 or so Berninas at the shop I work in from 12 years old to new and we use Schmetz needles in all of them. Of course Bernina would love it if you bought their needles but... Just get good quality needles. Not Singer, or their replacements, they are a different size. Don't know about the manuals. Sorry.
Tell her to enjoy her wonderful new machine.

I have a friend who recently purchased a Bernina 630. I know nothing about Berninas, other than they are very proprietary.

She doesn't know how to embroider, and I am going to help her with that, but she mentioned to me that she has to get Bernina NEEDLES for her machine, as "regular" machine needles won't fit. Is this true???
I have never heard of proprietary needles for sewing machines. I would like to be able to tell her that she can purcahse ANY brand of sewing machine needle and doesn't have to go to the Bernina dealer just to purchase needles. I know that other accessories need to be special for Bernina, but I didn't think the needles needed to be.

I would apprecaite any insight so I can help out my friend.

Also, do they (Bernina) have downloadable manuals, so I can get a look at one, and see how to use the machine when we are ready to teach her how to embroider?

Diane in Colorado Springs