Very well said, i found me asking myself if it is "best" vs "cheapest" vs "overall descent" a way of measuring things,many many times.
As for the requirements it is nice using a hosting company that at least claims to be able to meet the requirements, than one that has the cheapest price.
The only beautiful thing in this chaotic hosting-company cloud is that you can still find descent fast hosting with nice prices, and people that are willing to help you with your see more D7 project.
I found one of those and really won't let go, ofcourse for the time being. And who knows, maybe after a few revenue starts piling i'll consider a more known hosting provider.
Keeping one's opinions for himself is a virtue, especially nowadays. If we even mentioned a hoster it would be received as indirect advertisement and trolled to the end of the seas (or something extremely poetic).