My preferences for vinyl windows are different depending on what the need is.
For energy efficiency I think the Elements window from Softlite is tops. The double hung units have NFRC U-Factor ratings down to .15 which is more than twice the energy efficiency of most Low-E argon filled windows. The window also features an industry best .01 air infiltration rate, LC60 water rating, and DP70 fDesign Pressure rating. No window I've seen matches all those numbers. These windows are available in lots of exterior colors unlike most vinyl windows. Good looking window too.
There is also a company called Force V Environmental who just built a new plant in South Carolina that makes the prettiest vinyl windows IMO, and they have U-Value on the doublehungs around .20 The company also has cool inswing casements (tilt n turn hardware). They were formally called Schuco.
For windows with blinds or pleated shades between the glass I really like Sunrise windows. For a long time they had a 10 year warranty on the blinds but now have a lifetime warranty warranty which is the best warranty I've seen for between the glass blind units. They also have many colors available.
There is no one best window. There is only a best choice for the situation and that can vary depending on your location, your needs and your budget.

I live on the coast of Maine in a house full of Andersen casements (mid 1980's) and yes, some times some are a bit difficult to operate at times, but not too bad. The hardware has done surprisingly well with the wind (we get plenty), better than what some of you are reporting with other windows.

But - the rain. Ugh. It's brutal, i will never live in a house with casements again. It's like a vacuum sucking it in, all over the sills and floors. The beauty of living here is no need for AC in the summer, nice fresh air! That doesn't fly if you have to seal your house up when gone for the day, with the possibility of thunderstorms popping up in the afternoon.

Back to the original question - one of the lines my company carries is the Bonneville Window out of Quebec. Very nice wood/clad units and because of their location - make a very nice casement. The upscale DH is also very nice - Good Marvin competition, and almost as pricey. They also have a "lesser" Dh, wood/clad competes with Andersen, worth a look if they are available in your area.

WindowPartsGuy,

Are you saying the casement windows leak when closed or they pull in the rain when they are open?

Open! Even just a little open on the west and south side of my house and a surprising amount of water gets "sucked" in. I've never seen a double hung let in a fraction of the water we get. It's just a function of the basic casement style window design, i just wanted to warn anyone who has never had them.

I didn't mean to confuse anyone, when they are shut we get no air or water whatsoever.

That is an interesting comment. This has never happened in tilt/turn windows when the window was open in the tilt position.