That's the thing you can't really go by brand, each brand has duds and possibly some really good models.
The only thing Bosch I have is a Jig saw, it's by far the best Jigsaw I have ever had, it's a few years old and is great, powerful and accurate and works like it is new. I read every review and compare everything in it's price range before buying any tool.
http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/b1590rvu.html
I got lucky with a plainer, my neighbor was selling a old 12" foley-Belsaw planer, weighs hundreds of pounds and built to last, he didn't like his new Grizzly as much as the old one, but I did end up with his like new Grizzly joiner. The only thing is both pieces are really big and so heavy we made a metal carriage for each so they can be rolled around, they will both outlast me guaranteed.