User Manual Cuisinart DLC-5 7 Cup Food Processor

No, the machine does not weigh 32 pounds. 10 pounds maybe,
very similar to other machines.

I made cole slaw today. I noticed the manual recommended an
optional disc, but I used the standard shredding disc and it was
amazing! The cabbage and carrots are perfect!

No it does not, I saved my old machine for juicing. Other than
juicing it is great.

The shredder will make noodles if you put in the zucchini in
laying lengthwise, instead of "standing up". Noodles will not be
spirilized, but they will be thin and noodle-like.

Yes. The small pusher even has a hole in it so that you can
pour the oil into the cup and let it drip as you process to
emulsify.

Not sure about potatoes. The metal blade is for chopping
and blending. If you want a consistency like hash browns,
use the shredding blade. I've only made potato pancakes
with leftover mashed potatoes. You would have to pulse
carefully so they don't get gummy. As for pasta dough, I use
mine for that all the time. You asked about cake. Yes you
can use it to mix cake. Just be careful not to over fill to
prevent leaking. What any food processor is not as good
for is anything you are incorporating air into such as
whipping egg whites. Because they have tight lids, it is
tricky to get the air needed. I believe there may be special
instructions in the manual.

Mine has a compact cover making chopping easier. This
will do a better job chopping an onion for example than a
mini chopper, with a mini chopper you have to add small
amounts and empty and chop an onion in several stages.
This is also much more uniform that a mini chopper. A mini
chopper is so small it compacts the items, I don't chop with
them. The only thing I use a mini chopper for is small
amounts of marinates.