I don't see anybody jumping in, so maybe I can help get a conversation started for you.

GE had pretty significant reliability and parts problems with its fridges when it started contracting out (outsourcing), but it has brought much of its production back to the US a few years ago. CR's survey data shows that GE is now no less (and no more) reliable than most other brands of SxS models. In our area, GE also cut back on the number of dealers it works with and seems to be concentrating on the highest-volume retailers
and big-box stores. Some friends bought one of the large new GE SxS models a month or so ago -- I think it is the one rated for 29 cut. ft. -- and say they are very pleased with its features and capacity.

Something to else to bear in mind is that rated capacity is often overstated. Supposedly 25 to 28 cu. ft. SxS fridges sometimes turn out to have no more than 18 cu. ft. of actual capacity. Capacity is affected by the size of the through-the-door ice and water dispensers and some of the larger capacity models have two ice makers. If memory serves, CR rated the Whirlpool and Samsung SxS models as having more usable capacity than other brands with similar capacity claims.

Samsung models have separate evaporators for the freezer and fridge compartments. Not the same as having completely separate compressors and cooling systems (ala Sub Zero) but still something of a marketing leg up because of the theoretical advantages. When I was fridge shopping, it seemed that the jury was still out on whether the separate evaporators made much practical difference.

Doesn't the biggest Samsung SxS have an external display screen that connects to the internet or you smart phone or displays photos or something? Strikes me one more thing to fail. cascade to other circuitry and interfere with the primary functions.

FWIW, some friend have had a Samsung 26 cu. ft. SxS (no screens) for three years with no problems. They make heavy use of the external dispensers.

This post was edited by JWVideo on Sun, Jul 6, 14 at 15:48

JWVideo, this is the second thread on which you have been SUPER helpful with regards to appliances! Your points about fridge capacity were really interesting. I went online and looked at interior photos of the Whirlpool vs. the GE side by side fridges and noticed that ice maker takes up at least one additional, useful shelf in the GE version. Maybe this means that I could consider some slightly lower capacity fridges if I can find out more about "true capacity." Maybe I will start a separate thread on that...

In general, it is good to know that GE might be a contender again as there are not that many choices for side-by-side. However, I am now worried that they might be wasting valuable space (with the ice maker) that we could easily use up with our family of five. :-)

I am curious to see if I get any responses to the fridge capacity question!

Many thanks again,

Sara