rowing machines questions

I'm on the fence of buying a rowing machine once I get my own apartment. I see a few on amazon going for under $200 with over 4 star reviews and think it would be a good intro to cardio/basic whole body muscle building but don't want to waste money on cheap crap. The main downsides from the reviews aren't the build quality but the top level of resistance.

I'm the most out of shape I've ever been, haven't done any sports or real consistant exercise in years and am wondering if a lower end rowing machine would be a good way to start. When I was super active my main sports were first baseball then skateboarding and snowboarding so I've never had a lot of arm or upper body strength, mostly leg and core. I'm 5'10'' and weigh like 180 now, not trying to get swol ASAP just be healthier and build confidence and establish a routine to eventually get more fit.

also how hard is it on your knees? I'd like my gf to be able to use it too but she has some bad knee issues that flair up which make me think a stationary bike might be a better choice but I like the idea of more of a whole body work out than just cardio

don't tell me to run I HATE running. my gf wants to buy real bikes but the weather where I am sucks 8 months out of the year so while bikes would be more fun they would take up more space in a small apartment than a machine we could share. plus I know we wouldn't be riding bikes together in a way that would be better exercise than say 30 min on a machine with consistent resistance.

there was somone here who was all about rowing machines and I looked them up to DM them but they're banned now lol