[quote name='BingoBrown']A) The TE isn't "portable"? Do you have to rent a U-Haul to move it?
B) The TE is only $125 right now, even less with bing.com cashback, but without all the extra work.
To each his own, but I'll take a TE over modding a SE if they're the same price.[/QUOTE]
I think it's more of a size preference. The SE stick is considerably smaller and lighter, making it easier for lap play than the TE. Also, with modding, you get the choice of colors of stick and buttons, and possibly better buttons than the TE.
Don't get me wrong; the TE is a great stick. Just the SE stick is a decent entry point to try out arcade controls, and it has an easy upgrade path if you get more serious in the future. I think it's a much better option than a Hori EX2.