"I've been using the CXS for about 7 or 8 years now, and it has been my most frequently used drill for everything but the most demanding construction tasks. I've also checked out the Milwaukee pretty extensively, and have noticed a few differences. One, the price differential is not that high - for the comparable Milwaukee version with 2 batteries and a charger, it's actually $229 ($179 is the bare tool) - so the price difference is not that high. If you appreciate the systainer, already that helps to make up some of the gap. There are also some key differences with the tool itself. The Festool is very well balanced and sits nicely on a table due to the wide, flat bottom of the battery pack, whereas the Milwaukee generally has to be laid on it's side. As others have noted, the forward/reverse being on top is very unusual and uncomfortable, as this is something I find myself doing constantly during installation work. Regarding the offset chuck, I've never found I needed it for the CXS - the machine has such a slender profile that even with the offset chuck, you really don't gain much or get closer to the side of something. With the Milwaukee, you do need this offset because both the drill and chucks are more bulky. Lastly, and probably my favorite feature of the CXS, is the obnoxiously long belt clip. This thing will never come off our your belt or pocket and at just 2 pounds, you hardly even notice it being there. I will more drills had these deeper belt clips because it is something I have grown to really love and appreciate about the CXS."