Have Laminate worktops improved since I last bought 20 years ago?

[LindaDawn]

Hi
Hubby and I are currently finding it difficult to choose a quartz worktop for our new kitchen. One design is a more mottled grey on a white background and other is more of a marble effect with a much whiter background. Had quotes of £4k+ and £3k+ . Seems a horrendous amount of money for not a big kitchen, but more than that I am frightened of getting it wrong. Had a thought today that maybe we would find it easier to choose a laminate worktop, as in our current worktop, but have they improved since I last bought 20 years ago?

Have you looked at compact laminate? It's much more hardwearing than traditional laminate, but cheaper than quartz.

If you really like quartz though, I'd probably bite the bullet and go for it. Could you find a supplier that has large pieces in their showroom and perhaps take a cupboard door with you, so you can get more of an idea of how it looks?

I have heard of compact laminate but never considered it cos we were always going for quartz. Does it look more high end than the old laminate that we currently have?
No time to get to showrooms till next Tuesday so desparate to get some perspective on our choice.
Thing is we have seen one big quartz slab at one warehouse where the company gave us very good vibes and was also recommended but not our 1st choice in colour/design (we think) and the 2nd slab was £1k cheaper and probably (we think) our preferred choice at a different warehouse/company where we know nothing about. We can afford it but just feel so indecisive re choosing when there are so many to choose from and companies to go with which made me think it might be so much easier to look at from our kitchen supplier Howdens. Need to make a decision in next week or 2.
Need to see if I can find a quartz company that does both brands (Stone Italia and Classic Quartz) with large slabs to view.

Laminate is fine but not in an expensive kitchen. You will always pay more for a work surface that needs a template and it’s much more difficult to cut into shape. So laminate is a lot easier. Check it works with your sink though and don’t forget it can mark more easily. So choose a good quality one.

May not be able to have laminate after all as I have an under mounted kitchen sink ordered and going in.
How do you tell whether it’s a quality quartz?

Compact laminate looks cheap..sorry. I had numerous samples posted by worktop express and none of them impressed. None of them looked right compared to quartz. More importantly, I was quoted almost 3.5k by worktop express for 4 slabs of said surface..absolutely gobsmacked.

@LindaDawn Where you get it from. Get samples. Is it used by good quality kitchen suppliers?