From the reviews here and personal experience with a DW788 #2-- the #1 is a better saw.
I did use my #2 a little hard; but, I had an old 2speed Dremel that actually got used just as hard and took it, while the DW gave up.
The DW was replaced with a Porter-Cable 18" for right around $200, I liked the cast iron table on the DW better and it was smoother; did NOT have as much power EVER as the PC. Blade tension and changing are about equal. PC has a decent built in light (Better than the DW's was by far PC is LED) PC has built in dust port DW did NOT. PC can also run pinned blades-- for some things they are excellent.
I wax the tables on my equipment anyway. So the aluminum table is serviceable.
From my experience I will buy another PC; may or may not buy another DW--a slightly used type #1 would tempt me.
Our other DW tools have been mostly excellent. My son that I live with has a fleet of cordless DW tools. Exception is the pad sanders have declined in quality-- The one I had for almost 20 years was used extremely hard and stood up very well; when it died I replaced it with the (same model # new) it died and needed parts much sooner with a lot less work having been done. I replaced it with a Bosch and like it very well, so far.