[turbo6bar]

I have an older Hitachi 10" compound non-slider and a Milwaukee 12" compound slider. The Hitachi motor is smoother and more quiet. Dust collection is pathetic. The Milwaukee slider handles larger trim easily and the 12" blade can miter (bevel or miter) >5.25" material. The 10 non-slider can barely handle 5.25" base. The Milwaukee's dust collection is quite nice, but still not perfect. I live with it because I am hesitant to dump the cash on a Festool rig.

If I were buying again, the Milwaukee would still be on the shortlist. Makita's 10 or 12" slider would be in the mix, as well. For whatever reason, the newer Hitachi's don't catch my eye, but that doesn't mean you should overlook them.

Don't buy a saw at the top of your budget, necessarily. It's nice to have a second blade for cutting raw lumber and a dedicated blade for trim and woodworking. If you're doing trim work, I recommend one of the coping jigs. It improves the quality of your cope dramatically. I want to try the coping foot some time. In rambling, I am glossing over my point; that is, save some bucks for accessories.

I don't think you must have a slider. It's a nice feature. You can well with a regular saw, but I would definitely get something with a taller fence (at least 4") for cutting crown upside down and backwards.

In short, don't buy the top line model and expect perfection. A lot of times, it's the hack at the controls that's the biggest influence. I'd rather have a good saw with extra blades and a killer workstation instead of a Festool miter saw and nothing else.