Cuisinart HM-70 Power Advantage 7-Speed Hand Mixer, Stainless and White

Does anyone know how this compares to the Kitchenaid 9-speed model?

Do the beaters rust?

Is the lowest speed on this mixer slow and not at warp speed right off the bat like most mixers? I need something that starts out pretty gently.

Is it true that the unit has no resting place to set it down?