'Bagless Generation'
I, too, feel sorry for those who are growing up / have grown up in the age of cheaply-produced, (but expensive to buy!!) 'plastic-y' throw-away appliances.
Regardless of the manufacturers' claims, I would challenge any of them to out-perform my 20+ year old cannister or compact cleaners. I keep my (fully washable/reuseable) filters clean, and they will happily lift the carpet with their airflow. My older cylinder cleaner has more mediocre performance, but then only has a 300W (or thereabouts) motor.
Another beef I have is with 'consumable' filters, etc. Plastic cased, non-reuseable paper elements which cost an arm and a leg, subtle control of the supply of which effectively limits the life of the appliance, unless a model is popular enough to encourage 'after-market' suppliers to make 'pattern parts'.
I grew up in the age of cylinder cleaners, and will always appreciate the feel of a good, heavy, braided hose and metal (yes, real metal) fittings....
As someone (sorry, can't remember who, or in which thread, and I'm not going to look it up) said on AW.org 'that's why I use 60 year old appliances... They still WORK'. I doubt that appliances produced now (vacuums or 'white goods') will still be working in 16 years, never mind 60....
Ok..... Rant over.....
Please discuss....
Dave T