My parents have the Neptune washer/dryer (by GE, I think). They're both front-loading and I can attest to them being far better than top-loading washing machines. They just do a better job IMO.

Plus, my dad's a gadget freak too, so he got the version with the LCD screen. Talk about empeg-esque appliances! You can choose all your presets and stuff, and also program it to was your clothes at a certain time. So for example, if there's a certain time of the day when your water rates are lower, you can program it to wash then. They really are cool gadgets