A few points..
1.) When comparing lathe weights one needs to look at the base. Many times a cast iron base accounts for a substantial increase in weight. The PM1440GT does not have a cast iron base so weighs less than the PM1440HB or HD. I would still pick the 1440GT.
2.) Spindle bore size is PM's claim to fame. I believe my Eisen is made in the same factory as the PM 1440GT.
3.) Yes, the Eisen is $9100 on the website. As I mentioned earlier, I talked them down to $7500. My reasoning was they sell these on eBay too and eBay charges a minimum of 10% seller fee. That is nearly $1000 so I figured that was a good place to start.
a.) The Eisen comes with the DRO. The DRO is already installed. Add $800 to the PM for that.
b.) The Eisen has free shipping. Precision Matthews charges $400-$450 for delivery.
If you want a lathe now, you will probably have to settle for Chinese. Most of the Taiwan lathes are sold out.
Without hands on experience, one may wonder what is the difference between a China mainland and Taiwan lathe. Well, just one piece of anecdotal evidence from my experience is the tailstock. On my Chinese PM1022, the quill on the tailstock was so sloppy that drilling a simple center hole was challenging. In fact, the quill was so bad that I was going to make a new one that actually fit. Then I decide to hell with it and sold it. The Taiwanese 1440 does not have that issue. The quill is very precise. Just one of a number of issues that I had.
I may sound like an Eisen fanboy, but what I am pointing out is that there are many more options than PM or Grizzly for good machines. Acra, Acer, Kent USA are a few others.