I use mine to boil water for coffee in about 90 seconds (which may save 15-30 seconds over the highest non-boost setting; I haven't experimented). It's probably not necessary, but it's nice. It depends on how often you boil water, I guess.

First determine the power-boost specified power and maximum-continuous specified power of the Bosch and the maximum-continuous power of the GE. Boiling time for each will be inversely proportional to the power value, assuming the water container overlaps the hob coil in each case. Only you can determine the value to you of convenience and saved time.

kas

So far, I generally forget to use the boost! Except for pasta water...

I only use boost for boiling water, but then it's nice to have (though I haven't timed it against just using the top regular setting)

I think the overall layout is far more important.

What I prefer about the Bosch over some of the other models is the Bosch has actual numbers and 1/2 numbers to touch to raise and lower the temperatures, whereas the others have a + and - touch pad. On my electric Bosch (in my new place, I'm getting induction), if I push 7, I know pretty well how hot the pot will get.

Thank you all. I can't decide if the boost should be a priority. I've never experienced induction beyond watching the salesman boil a kettle of water at the appliance store. If the boost boils water 15 seconds faster than non boost, the benefit is much less than if it boils 5 minutes faster. I haven't found any hard numbers comparing the different settings in a controlled manner (same pot, same starting water temp, etc). The layouts of either model are acceptable to me. All things being equal, I'd choose the boost. However, the GE is lower in price and includes a griddle, which I will use a lot. So the current dilemma is--is the boost worth the difference in price of the Bosch and the cost of a griddle. Any insight or thoughts are appreciated.

I'll try to remember to time it tonight.

The difference won't be anything approaching 5 minutes. :)

I've had 2 induction cooktops. Even the one from 1983 boiled water faster than 5 minutes! Faster than any high power gas or electric, too, but the (nonboosted) Windcrest that replaced it was faster than that. Maybe it did have a boost. I never found out.

In case my description of how to determine relative boiling time was too complex, consider the Frigidaire parameters in my April 6 message's table at:
http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2246536/36-induction-cooktop-with-bridge?n=71

The ratio of the the max power to the boost power for this example is about 1450/2000 = 73% on the smallest hob. This means that if a given quantity of water comes to a boil in 5 minutes with maximum power, it would come to a boil in approximately 3 minutes, 39 seconds on power boost. Conversely, a quantity of water that comes to a boil in 5 minutes on power boost would require 6 minutes, 54 seconds on maximum continuous power.

kas

Thank you, kas. Your explanations are very clear and understandable, and I enjoy reading your helpful posts.

jwvideo, thank you so much! That's the info I've been trying to get from the customer service folks at both Bosch and GE. I tried comparing the wattage for the burners but the flex vs individual make comps difficult. I looked through cads and specs, never thinking that the user manual would be the link I was missing. The best comparison I could do was the largest center burner.

You are correct. The rapid boil is the Hi setting on the GE and the Speed Boost on the Bosch. It seems odd that on the previous Profile GE named it a Power Boost setting (spec but not on the control panel) but the new Profile/Cafe/Monogram does not emphasize the feature by the same name in the specs. Thanks again.

I use the Power Boost sometimes, when boiling water either in a tea kettle or pot, on our ThermaBosch induction. I love having that feature.