Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?

news.ycombinator.com

191–200 of 1001 posts

Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?

#191
post #27

Another 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…

Any idea how the 3rd generation compares?

Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?

#193

Teenage Engineering OP-1, a music synthesizer. Really well built, buttons and knobs feel fantastic, and the display is super fun. The OP-1 in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umatbZ0n4mE

Hey, Justin Vernon and I both agree with you. Best small-scale synth ever.

Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?

#195

Dyson vacuum cleaners. I have never once wondered "how do I do this?" when using my Dyson. From cleaning, to extensions, switching modes, and just plain using the thing, every inch of these vacuums is designed to the utmost degree to make them not only super powerful suction machines but also trivially easy to use.

Very very cleverly designed. Take one apart. The way the hoses which bend tightly are all removable so you get a straight line of sight to find any blockages. Genius.

Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?

#196
post #104

Redbox. Concept and kiosk. I like the app for finding and reserving movies; my mom, who has never used a smartphone, uses the kiosks easily. They took a familiar business, modernized it a little bit, slashed the overhead, and people seem to like it.

i survived my road warrior years thanks to redbox and the whole foods salad bar.

Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?

#197
post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a 2011 Fit Sport. Great little car. Doesn't hurt that it's dirt cheap to maintain and insure. I have maxed-out liability limits on my policy and only pay $35 a month.

> $35 a month Wow! Are you in the US? May I ask what insurance you have?

Colorado with Geico. $300k/$300k bodily injury, $100k property damage, $300k uninsured motorist injury and a few other miscellaneous coverages.

Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?

#198
post #170

U.S. Constitution Eiffel Tower Bosendorfer 214CS piano 1986 Fender Performer guitar 1959 Fender Stratocaster Yamaha YBL 321 trombone Yamaha Q series alto sax Any Zojirushi rice cooker Vitamix Sony SRF-M37w radio Golden Gate Bridge (walk it) Any Porsche 911 Toyota Sienna minivan Any MacBook Air Duluth Trading Longtail T shirts web2py C89 Visual Basic 3.0 Turbo Pascal 3.0 Visual Pascal Vim Eggs, bananas, bell peppers,…

A little surprised not to see a Shure SM28 or 57 microphone near the items at the top of that list...

And if you're gonna have the GG Bridge, can I propose the 747as well. They're still building them now, almost 50 years later - the first one rolled out of the factory in '68 (first test flight wasn't till '69)

Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?

#199
Masakage knives: http://masakageknives.com/

There are many other makers of kitchen knives that are comparable to Masakage knives, but if someone who was serious about cooking asked me for a single recommendation of which knife brand they should buy into this would probably be my response. Their knives are reasonably priced, feature beautiful aesthetics, have personality, and perform as well as anyone could reasonably need.

Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?

#200

1. Macbook Air 2013. 2. Herman-Miller Embody Chair (best chair if you have lower back problems). 3. Apple Airport Time Capsule (best backup device + router). 4. Epson L565 + WiFi. Absolutely great printer/scanner. Easy to configure and use. 5. Merkur-33C Classic (best safety razor in my opinion).

+1 for the Herman-Miller Embody chair. Crazy expensive, but far cheaper than medical bills. Aeron and most other ergo chairs never worked for me (properly sized and all).
Post reply on HN