As promised, I just wanted to share our (partner and I) experiences with our Fisher & Paykel set, which replaced an H3 set.
Washer Model: WL26CW1 Aqua Smart with the LCD panel Dryer Model: DE27CW1 Aero Smart, top loading, with LCD panel
Washer Pros: Capacity, washing performance, quietness, ease of use, pet hair removal, ability to choose more water for some loads when appropiate, flexibility of cycles, intuitive operation, water extraction.
Washer Cons: No timed chlorine bleach dispenser, must return to the machine mid wash cycle to add bleach; some tangling, but no worse than our HE3; some shaking on mid-speed spin; no lid window, unable to observe even the agitation cycle.
Top-Loading Dryer Pros: Ease of use; cycle selection; no lint filter to clean, (lint drops in plastic bucket); excellent moisture sensing and temperature control; excellent treatment of laundry in general,(much better then the Kenmore HE); reversing tumbling, no more balled up comforters.
Top-Loading Dryer Cons: Pricey; Loud bang of internal drum door closing and opening and beginning and ending of cycle respectively; unable to instantly access clothes during a cycle, must wait for drum unlocking sequence; not the quietest dryer, odd whistling and whinning noises when dryer starts, sounds much like an old Hydra-Matic drive Oldsmobile; heavy items elicit a banging noise from the machine while tumbling until they get somewhat dry. Note: I love both machines, but I remain skeptical that the complex dryer will provide years of trouble-free service.