Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - Oribital sander recommendation

Just ordered a bunch of unfinished furniture, so we'll be buying an orbital sander this week.

Anyone have recommendations on what to look for, what to avoid, or recommended brands?

I did some poking around wood working sites this weekend, and about the only thing I saw was: 1) The B&D Sandstorm isn't very good, 2) The sawdust capture mechanisms don't generally work well, so shouldn't be a buying factor.

Should I go for a hook and loop orbital, or plain jane? What about detail sanders like the Mouse?

DeWalt, hook & loop. Bought one about 6 months ago and chose the DeWalt after remembering (and then digging out) a comparison of r-o sanders in ShopNotes (an August Home publication that I recommend). I've been very pleased with it.

Zathrus,

There are orbital sanders, and there are random orbital(round) sanders. For furniture you'll have good results with the ROS.
Unfortunately, most ROS have poor dust collection systems.
I have two, and my next one will have a shop vac attachment - somethig to consider.
Also, when the Hook wears out on a H&L. it can be replaced easily with an inexpensive kit.

fred

I agree with Fred on the ROS, If dust is a problem, what I've been doing is making sure I've got a good fan next to my sanding station to blow the dust away from my face while I'm sanding. Seems to work well for me.

For furniture fine finishing the ROS is the machine of choice.
There's the 2-handed approach, the Makita-BO5021K and Bosch-3725dvs.
IMO the Bosch is the best of the 5" ROS crop.