Insinkerator, or Sears are both good. $200 will buy a good one.

Not an odd question at all. I chose Insinkerator's continuous (vs. batch) Evolution compact model at 3/4 HP for both clean up and prep sink. Regularly $169.00 at Home Depot. My plumber suggested either 3/4 or 1 HP. My 36" clean up sink cabinet is quite crowded since my plumbing comes up through the basement directly into the cabinet and the DW is hooked up here too. My current GD is a Kenmore and it has been fine for the last 10 years but it is quite large and loud.
I also chose to use an air switch at each sink to operate the GD. Don't know if I'll be able to keep a path shoveled to the compost in the winter.

Funny thing is that I recently started composting and that's cut down on how often I use the GD.

So consider: type, size, HP, noise level, and price and you should have a good start.

The salesman at the plumbing supply shop, from which I bought my faucets and kitchen sink, gave me such a good price and advice on them that I wanted to buy my GD from him as well. He told me that Insinkerators were the best, but that he couldn't beat the big box store price on them. I chose to get a "batch feed" even though it is deeper (takes up more room under the sink)than a continuous feed, because I still fear hands, especially little ones, getting caught in them. I got a "70-30" divided sink with a shallower "30" side in which the GD was installed. That left me with plenty of room under the sink. And no need for a surface switch. I generally use that side of the sink as a prep sink. I've been very happy with the arrangement and the GD.

From what I remember either here or on Appliances, the InSinkErators are considered very good choices. Most people seem to prefer the batch over the continuous feed for safety. Regardless of type, a 1HP is preferred but 3/4 isn't too bad.

Batch Feed: Works by putting the cover in...no switch. Safer b/c it will not operate if the cover is not in place. This means you don't have to worry about it being turned on when someone's hand is in it or someone putting their hand down (w/o thinking of course!) while it's on.

Continuous Feed: Works w/a switch. Can be pushing food down while it's running, especially useful if you have a lot of to run through at one time. There is the danger of someone accidentally putting their hand down it while it's running. [Children or someone distracted and not thinking about it or realizing it's on.]

In some cases, though, you don't have a choice of type...we have the Septic Assist b/c of our septic system. It only comes in one model...3/4 HP & Continuous Feed. (Our County Code states that a GD is allowed only if it's designed for septic systems.)

If you want to put a pullout under your sink, then be sure you get a sink w/an offset drain so the plumbing & GD are off to one side...that's the real key to having room under your sink. If you have a really big sink base, it may not be as much of an issue.

Personally, though, I don't like trash under a sink...if someone is working at the sink, they have to move to let someone use the trash (or if they have to use the trash). To me, a separate trash pullout is better....bigger bins, much better access, and cleaner overall (at least it seems that way to me).

Here is a link that might be useful: InSinkErator® Evolution Septic Assist®

As I understand it, this is the story: Viking decided to make a push to making the very best appliances they could after their reputation started to slip (and so did their doors!). They designed the world's best garbage disposal, that would pulverize the particles in a way never seen before. This is probably a gross exaggeration, but the results were noticeably better than what was on the market.

Viking had Insinkerator make these beauties for them (1 hp, 3/4 hp), complete with space age, weeble shaped, stainless housing. Then Insinkerator used the same specs to design their own versions. Which are also slenderer, but not as pretty. And cost something like $100 less. :)