It is all in accordance with what you want.

An "inverter" microwave modulates the output of the magnetron directly. So, 50% setting means the magnetron is putting out 50% of its full capacity, but all of the time. With a conventional microwave, that is achieved by running the magnetron in duty/rest cycles. 100% for 50% of the time 0% for 50% of the time. Inverter-based microwaves become far more flexible and therefore far more useful.

Re Reliability: Our present Panasonic (inverter) is about 6 years old and gets moderate use. It replaced a 16 year old multi-voltage BEAC we purchased in Saudi, that is now still in minimal use by a neighbor in his garage workshop. We keep our devices clean, make sure they get enough air circulation, and, heaven forfend, even clean the vents regularly!

Basic care-and-feeding is becoming a lost art.

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA