List out some common brands below.
Panasonic non-inverter 1hp, quiet still acceptable, quiet mode = can't feel the airflow at all, low fan speed acceptable, outdoor noise still consider low noise, wanna force it cooling faster may set to 23C and use from Mid Fan Speed would be solve your room temperature cold down as fast, price still ok to compare others, cause it is branded.
York non-inverter 1hp, cooling fast, but noise wise also slightly higher than others from low fan speed, outdoor noise a bit higher than panasonic 1hp, parts for fan motor and rubber mounting would be worn out as fast to be compare others brand, that is why your call it as York noisy.
Made in malaysia parts has more cost cutting, but most of parts is consider cheap.
These is same like Pansonic exhaust fan much noisy right, when come to KDK or panasonic would be cut down 50% of operations noise, but price wise also different.
Mitsubishi Electric StarMex or Mr. Slim malaysia.
Ins't good brand? Price expansive?
I think so, due to their easy clean for more easier to access into blower without any tool needed, bring your wet cloths & paint brush would be completed your cleaning job for free of charged.
The mainly from time to time for everyday usage may collected many dust on fan blower else, that is the most advance feature for you to choose.
Cooling wise & operating noise from quiet mode to low fan has much comfort level.
Even remote control has more button until don't which one.

Daikin is good brand for air-conditioner system also the largest Aircon supply.
Even York malaysia also under them, from Daikin parts may not quite durable than others brand, these has some error code of issue, but not at all these was some MFG defected only, cooling wise from R410A quite prefect as confirm level, but due to serving, may take you more trouble to be remove out fan coil and these is not design separately on drainpan, jelly blocking? Said good luck to you.
Hitachi aircon?
Good for higher capacity as 1hp they claim it as 10k BTU, sound good right, but when you think back, usually higher capacity may waste more electricity as load input 900w for fixed speed.
Parts & accessories, slightly higher cost, but come to air swing motor more faster to created noise when up and down, remote control design was lack, no power on button, lol sound wired, either you press on cold mode, dry mode or auto mode to be power on, also don't have memory for preset as auto swing function.
But the best feature still offered with UV Fresh and stand less steel filter as well, operating noise from low fan can hear it really not so smooth airflow noise.
Feel too simple and cutting cost?

Sharp so far never touch long time ago.
There's was slightly slower when started to cold down the room, but come to plasmacluster there was the only one to offer this feature.
This post has been edited by kimsim: Mar 7 2014, 10:33 PM