Product review (5 stars): Don't change a good thing!
A mixed bag. In 1998 I purchased an Equator with the built in dryer. Until I moved in 2010 it was still going strong and I found out through friends it was still going in 2012. A great unit, quality throughout.
I knew a woman who purchased one (on my advice) in 2009. Not good, many problems and come to find out, it was no longer made in Italy but put together with parts from China, Mexico and Hungry. Had a good thing going on but it seems that greed gets the better of most. Always trying to squeeze out another penny no matter what. My original Equator was like a Roles Royce of washing machines