Any Kindle model with e-ink. The utiluty and simplicity of design of these devices has enabled me to read almost every night before going to bed for the past 6ish years without loosing my place or holding the weight of a book (finally read War and Peace).
Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
141–150 of 1001 posts
Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
#142Another odd one, but my Honda Fit 2nd Generation. So many things about that car are so well thought-out, and even more expensive/luxurious cars miss things that the Fit designers included. Some examples: - Cup holder on the dashboard to the left of the steering wheel. As a left-handed person, this is amazing. - Window power remains on after turning off the car as long as doors haven't been opened, allowing you to clo…
I agree. Owned one for a couple years. Everything was great as long as you don't run over chewing gum because you might get stuck.
Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
#143My Bunn ST Velocity coffee machine [0]. I bought it on September 1, 2011 and have used it every single morning (and then some) since. It has no buttons, no configurations, no options. It makes coffee inside of 120 seconds (because it keeps the water pre-heated). It does not have a glass carafe to break, it does not burn the coffee since it does not use a heated plate but instead pours the coffee into a thermos that keeps it hot for hours. It's not available on Amazon any more (where I got it originally), but I'm not sure if it's actually discontinued or just unavailable. I hope if the former that it's just been replaced by a slightly updated model, but I don't know.
UPDATE: There's still the STX model available [1], it's a bit more garish looking but it seems to be otherwise identical.
Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
#144Almost every bicycle. Our noblest invention.
From mass market brand road bikes I'm quite partial to Giant. I just bought a Defy Advanced 2. Truly an excellently designed and engineered machine. From custom builders my bros Black Sheep Bikes Road Rage Downhill custom was and is the best bicycle I've ever had the pleasure of riding. Link for the curious: http://www.spoke.ie/2011/10/red-bull-road-rage-janos-kohler-...
Giant contract manufacturers a large portion of the world's bikes, including high end Italian brands. They definitely know what they're doing.
Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
#145My Altec Lansing ACS48 computer speakers. I paid $299 for them in 1999 and to this day they still work flawlessly and beat most every other computer speaker. Audiophiles swear by them, and still buy them in bulk when they can find them. Here's the Amazon reviews: https://www.amazon.com/Altec-Lansing-ACS48-Computer-Speakers...
I feel the same way about my Klipsch computer speakers. I saw them for sale at Best Buy the other day and they looked exactly the same. I've had mine for at least 7 or 8 years and still sound great.
Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
#146Zojirushi fuzzy logic rice cooker. I've owned it for more than a decade and made maybe hundreds of pounds of rice. Always perfect. Cast iron skillet. Lodge makes cheap, very high quality, pans that just work, forever (there are many brands, several are great).
I was also going to say a Zojirushi rice cooker. I've had mine for 6 years and it shows no signs of slowing down. Super easy to clean and makes amazing rice every time.
Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
#147Another odd one, but my Honda Fit 2nd Generation. So many things about that car are so well thought-out, and even more expensive/luxurious cars miss things that the Fit designers included. Some examples: - Cup holder on the dashboard to the left of the steering wheel. As a left-handed person, this is amazing. - Window power remains on after turning off the car as long as doors haven't been opened, allowing you to clo…
Also, two of the cup holders are right at the AC outlets. Very good for cooling drinks.
Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
#148The Tom Bihn Synapse 25 backpack: https://www.tombihn.com/collections/backpacks/products/synap...
I went nomad earlier this year and decided I needed a good backpack. After much research, I landed on the Synapse.
It's simply amazing that something as simple as "a bag" can be so well designed. So clearly better.
It's the only product I've ever owned where I notice myself stop and admire it regularly.
Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
#149The pouring end of a stainless Bialetti stovetop espresso pot[0]. Beautiful, precise, never a drip. Amazing.
[0] http://www.thehomestoreauckland.co.nz/images/_db/MwA1ADkAMAA...
Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
#150Another odd one, but my Honda Fit 2nd Generation. So many things about that car are so well thought-out, and even more expensive/luxurious cars miss things that the Fit designers included. Some examples: - Cup holder on the dashboard to the left of the steering wheel. As a left-handed person, this is amazing. - Window power remains on after turning off the car as long as doors haven't been opened, allowing you to clo…
I really enjoy my Mazda3 2016 dashboard and controls. Meanwhile I HATED the BMW 3 series controls and shifter. Nothing was intuitive, though it all looked space agey. I am a fan of the Lexus controls as well. They look positively 90s but are very straightforward to use and behave as you'd expect. As a former automotive engineer it hurts to see "aesthetics" trump usability.
Yeah, I have the Mazda 3 Astina - 2014. I believe its MazdaConnect is roughly the same, maybe a slightly smaller screen.
Blown away by how good the UX for the whole car is, including a HUD which for its price class and the time is rather amazing.
Adding things like rear cross alert, curving lights and radar cruise in addition to EBA is simply great.