Product review (5 stars): Thank you Panda (and Matthew Zimmer) for my own in-unit washer!
Finally getting around to reviewing after suspiciously watching this machine for any failures. Since buying it on March 27, 2017, I can comfortably say that  there isn't anything I can see wrong with this wonderful appliance. Absolutely an addictive addition to my little apartment. I will never worry too much about not having an unit W/D in another place again.

WHY I BOUGHT IT
So, as with most cases in an apartment search, you end up compromising on something. I gave up a chance at a washer/dryer in-unit for extra cash in my pocket every month. Fast forward three years, and the new machines in my building through a combination of resident (ab)use and maintenance neglect (thanks leasing office!) became moldy, funky, gunked up nightmares. The final straw came when the heating units in all four dryers went out, and clothing rinsed by the frigid winter plumbing took three cycles in a dryer to get damp-dry. (At $8 for a single wash/dry load, that was a big no-no.) I decided to take matters into my own hands. Literally. But after a single session of hand-washing in the tub, I swore, "Never again! To the Amazon!" Enter the Panda compact washing machine. If you are living in an apartment with shared laundry, or no laundry, this might be your best new mechanical friend.

NOTABLE WASHING DETAILS
Once I fit it in my closet (with the aid of some well-written homemade engineering reviews) and checked that it was leak-proofed, I immediately threw in the first test load. It was about six t-shirts/tops and three pairs of long work pants, along with a couple fistfuls of black athletic socks. "Don't overload it" they said. "I like to live dangerously!" I said. I set the water level to the large setting and nervously watched it percolate. Admittedly, I probably overloaded the thing the first few go's, but the Panda held strong. Everything came out great! And while I cannot endorse overloading... As long as you loosely dump in medium weight fabrics and avoid packing the items in, machine functionality should be fine. I have yet to experience any major problem I did not called down on myself through careless usage or overambitious loading. My general rule is, if the fabric is staying above the water surface more than twisting under it--you've gone too heavy on the clothes, so stop and take some out. Other than that, I find the machine washes just as well on the quick setting as any other and always does a great job. The spin setting is good enough for most fabrics, and can even be set solo to extract just that much more liquid out of heavier loads like jeans.

WHAT'S ALSO NOTABLE
Now, this is a fully-automated washing machine, unlike the most famous (and sometimes infamous) semi-automated, twin tub versions you may see. Also, unlike the twin tub versions, this sucker is large. Like, not kidding. It's sizeable. I am 5'5" and it comes up to my high waistline. It is somewhere in size between a side table and dresser. Sooo if you're trying to hide it suddenly from an unit inspection so that your lease isn't voided and you're forced to move out, you may be out of luck. :)  But once it is set up, you're going to be so happy to have it working.

TIPS & TRICKS:
- If you are trying to fit this in a closet/corner, like I did, do yourself the biggest favor and get the dolly and drip pan tray everyone else is using. Five times easier, promise.
- Maneuvering it into tight corners or over short, horizontal distances is not for the weak-willed or spaghetti-armed. It's about 35-40 lbs of bottom heavy weight. If you can get help, don't be proud--take the help.
- Matthew Zimmer is an engineering genius. Followed his recommendations (almost) to a T, and was able to set up my washing machine in an adjacent hall closet. I would add that if you are using his suggested nylon barb from Home Depot, it cannot be re-used/unscrewed multiple times, as the metal hose end will distort the threads. I tried to re-use the first barb once I realized my garden hose was too long... But it leaked all over during the second installation. Buy two at once if you think you're going to mess up at any point.
- Plumbing tape is absolutely crucial in sealing both the intake and outtake hoses if you decide to extend hoses or do some additional engineering so do not skip that step!  Other that that, this has been a dream setup and amazing product.
- Get a lint catcher for the outtake hose. ESPECIALLY if it's going into your tub. Otherwise you'll be pouring Liquid Plumber down your pipes every five washes.
- Be prepared to clean your tub a lot. Just accept it.
- Detergent pods are perfect for this machine. Anything more is a waste.

TL;DR may be expensive, but gives you the convenience of an in-unit washer. Read Matthew Zimmer's review to get the most of your washer.