Do you really need a Dyson? (Dyson CR01)

Member Name: Nolly

Product:	Dyson CR01
Date:	03/05/01 (2084 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: new, expensive, different

Disadvantages: expensive, different, prone to prowl around the house if untethered

We have all heard of Mr Dyson, haven't we? You know the man who makes vacuum cleaners that look like they have been involved in an explosion at a paint factory, and that markets the same as the very best thing you can spend a fortune on. Well it seems that now he has focused his attention on the humble washing machine, and is attempting to portray the automatics that we all know and love as no better than a washboard and a rock by the side of the canal. But is he right?

Firstly I cannot claim to know everything about the machines, as I do not wish to own one, even if I could afford it. But I feel that there are a few facts that have to be spelled out, and for this I thank the very nice man who installed my new Zanussi washing machine this morning, and he works for Currys, not Zanussi:

1- Price- These machines are over £1000. This is over twice as expensive as the leading top-brand models, and is the price that most of us would pay for a computer- but the Dyson Contrarotator does not play Solitaire or help you with your monthly accounts!

2- Appearance- I don't know about you, but I personally think it's pig ugly. My kitchen is white, and I don't think a hangover could stand me staggering into the kitchen to be confronted by a bright purple behemoth - I might end up inadvertantly redecorating the walls!

3- Practicality- Yes, this new fancy system might clean clothes whiter than they have ever been before, but you can get a very good wash performance from a machine costing £300. And there is the fact that, apparently, these machines have to be bolted to floor joists as they do wah to quite an 'intense' and violent extent, and not just installed and plumbed in like any normal machine. They do not tend to warn you about this when you decide that you desperately want the most expensive washing machine going. They don't plaster a big sticker that says:

"CAUTION, IF YOU DO NOT BOLT THIS THING TO T
HE FLOOR IT MAY TURN INTO THAT BIG EARTHMOVING THING FROM THUNDERBIRDS OR CHASE YOUR NEIGHBOUR'S POODLE ALONG THE ROAD!"

Perhaps they ought to spell these things out before we get them into our little houses and worry about the intricacies of installation when the nice delivery man has gone for a cup of tea and a bacon sarnie at the local cafe.

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