QUOTE(jj5 @ Apr 17 2011, 05:52 PM)
I have few models of fridge to consider:
1)Panasonic NR-BY601XS - inverter save 40% of electricity but freezer at the bottom. Some forum member says can get RM2,700. What a good price. Any comment for this fridge?
2) Sharp SJPT66HRS - Some shop says this model has been discountinued. SJPT71RHS is still available but too big for me.
3) Toshiba GR-RG68MDA - really likes the black colour tempered glass. Manage to get cash price at RM2,158
4) Hitachi R-Z660EM some shops says has been discountinued. But R-Z610EM still available at RM1999. Can save up to 25% of electricity.
Can share your view with me. Thanks.
since i just bought a new fridge for my house maybe i could give some tips through my research.
heard that the best fridge (long lasting) are from hitachi (being the best), then followed by sharp (best value) and toshiba (somewhat better quality or design).
panasonic fridge have a problem with their top compartment (refrigerator compartment) as it's not as cold as other usual freezer-on-top models. and the freezer drawer tend to get stuck are a while, probably because of ice on the railing.
on the upside, most of the freezer-down-below models have a larger freezer compartment compared to the usual on the top variants. the panasonic models does have a somewhat larger freezer size. and the freezer drawer helps if you store lots of small, loose items. can fill the items up to the brim and never worry for them to fall down.
if you go for the usual freezer on top models then most of the time the items would be arranged like a hill/slope inside the compartment.
and also know the problem if you have a toddler inside the house as it's easier for them to open the freezer as it's down below.
the bigger panasonic models have the entire freezer compartment like a drawer. could pose a problem if there's water on the railing and it turns to ice.
i found this big sharp french door sj-f70pv-sl at seng heng selling for RM2999.

supposed to be a value for money model without plasmacluster & quick freezing. models that comes with the functions easily costs RM4.5k and RM5k-something. 556l nett volume. dirt cheap for the volume and design.
french door with freezer compartment below. and looks gorgeous. loved the separate compartments, wide fridge compartment and large bottle holder. will fit 2 of my 2l yogurt nicely.
but wife insists that it's gonna be too big for our cramped kitchen. so in the end had to get something smaller. went with a panasonic nr-bw414.

418l with large vegetable compartment and chilled compartment. at least now that the chilled compartment is located waist high it'll get used more.
the freezer compartment is also bigger (130l) compared to usual fridge with top freezer. and there's no side pockets on the freezer door which we can't use anyway.
looking back at the installed fridge, i think a bigger one wouldn't hurt. once you put in all the foodstuffs then it doesn't look that big anymore.

well at least we're keeping our old 200l samsung. 618l total storage should cater for 3 more kids
got the 418l pana for RM1.7k (stainless steel door as got heard that stainless steel wouldn't russ in the long run compared to the normal door).
and didn't went with the inverter as i don't really believe the inverter would save much if you keep opening the fridge every 5 minutes.