best vacuum cleaner for hard surfaces?

sleepymans

I am looking to buy a vacuum cleaner for my new place.

kitchen and bathrooms have ceramic tiled floors, one bedroom has white (:eek:) carpet but all other floors are good quality laminate.

I need a new vacuum anyway...I already have a great steam cleaner to clean the hard floors when needed, but not sure about the best dust collection vacuum for the hard areas that will also vacuum the carpet well enough.

Any suggestions welcomed:)

Thank you

anotheruser

VAX
Our Vax one has held up well for the last two years. I bought a cylinder one but wish, oh so wish I had bought an upright. The only problem with ours (the C91 Pet) is where the handle hooks on to the unit, it's bent/snapped off. We treat our goods with care but have put it down to bad design. When I feel rich or the cleaner breaks, I will replace with one from their "Air" range (maybe the Reach or Air3).

DYSON
People will swear by Dyson yet there are a large chunk of them that say they wouldn't buy another one. The "premium" vacuum cleaner that falls down in so many places. A family member had one for about 7/8 years before it failed (so good points scoring there), but they neglected to get another one, mainly due to cost I think.

MIELE
I've seen this company on here time and time again where people have suggested it goes on and on forever, which is great. However like I said on another thread, I certainly don't want a vacuum cleaner lasting 10 years. I would happily pay less and have it last less because in five years time, the technology in vacuum cleaners will be worth the cost of getting a new one then.

HENRY
I honestly don't see the attraction with these cleaners. They use old technology (bags) and while I don't doubt the suction power, I am personally not interested in them and would never have one by choice.


CONCLUSION
Buy an upright. They are pretty light these days and while cylinders are good at manoeuvring, pulling the unit behind is just a pain.
Think about where your plug sockets are. If you don't have many in accessible places, look at something with a long cord or hose.

If you want to try something experimental, look at the Gtech. I'd be tempted to try it but at £250, it's expensive to say the least.