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I have an 8" GSO (silver) and 10" Saxon aka Skywatcher, and used to own a 12" GSO (white).
Either make of scope is a great buy, each with its own advantages and drawbacks.
The main advantage of the GSOs is the accessories mainly the 10:1 Crayford microfocuser - and also fitted fan (though I prefer to fit my own with a baffle). Fitting a Crayford focuser to an SW Dob is a lot trickier. The altitude bearing is better on the GSO as well IF the scope is balanced.
The + of the SW 10" is much *much* better collimation and mirror support screws, smaller central obstruction (20% vs 25%) with no secondary holder, no pinched mirrors (loctited loosely fitted primary mirror clips), a Pyrex mirror (usable sooner than my 8" plate glass GSO - no big deal if you have fan), alt axis tension handles which allows you to lock the alt axis while changing EPs (tube won't tip from being off balance) and the better, more durable overall finish of both the OTA and the base.
btw white GSOs are not necessarily newer than silver ones. GSOs are made in black, white and silver (and maybe some other colours) - usually the dealer chooses which not you. GSO white finish is still a fairly flimsy thin coat of paint, not the tougher powder coating you get on the SWs.
Contrary to semi-popular opinion GSO mirrors are not better than Synta/SW/Saxon. Out of the three Dobs I have and had the Saxon has the best mirror with sharpest pinpoint stars and great contrast on planets. But all 3 scopes had decent mirrors. Getting a really good mirror in a mass produced scope involves a bit of luck.
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