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Originally Posted by MasterBlaster What's wrong with the old top loader circular tub-style washers ? Are the new ones that much better or is it just the latest gotta have thing ?

They're that much better, but it depends on how much you wash and how much utilities cost in your area.

My dad does two loads a week, and his town provides their own water and power for cheap. Not really worth it for him.

We do about 15 loads a week, we pay through the nose for water and power. Plus a costco size bottle of laundry detergent and bleach last almost a year for us...you only have to put in a tablespoon of each or so when you're washing with a gallon of water rather than 5-10.

Far gentler on our clothes...much less fading and fabric rubbing. basically unless I rip or stain something, they'll last forever. I still have some nice polo shirts that are 10-12 years old that look like new.

I can wash any item, no matter how delicate. If it can be hand washed successfully, the front loader on delicate will do an equally good and gentle job.

Problems some people have are overpriced, underreliable machines like the maytag neptunes..."mildew" smells from the washer as its a sealed system unlike a top loader that has an air gap around the hatch, but you can solve that by making your last load whites with bleach or by leaving the door open an inch.

Technically, because it has less moving parts and a more natural horizontal rotation, all other things being equal as far as material and manufacturing quality, a front loader should last longer than a top loader.

Justin - there are a number of washer/dryer combo's that do what you want. Not cheap, but decent compared to a washer/dryer combo. LG and Bosch make them. They wash and then use what is essentially a dehumidification process to remove the water.