This is a good little machine. We had ours for several years, and it reliably turned out decent (not excellent) expressos and lattes. When the main switch failed recently, I looked into getting a new one and was surprised to see all the hyped up reviews on the Amazon site.As a result, this simple little machine is selling for more than its list price -- ridiculous, in my opinion.I bought the Delonghi Cafe Sorrento for $35 instead, and after about two months of heavy use, I couldn't be more pleased. Most importantly, it makes better expresso than the Mr. Coffee. I would rate the expresso as very good to excellent.That fact by itself is enough to recommend the Delonghi, and when you consider the price (equivalent to a week's worth of lattes at your friendly neighborhood corporate coffee merchant), it's a no brainer. If it breaks or malfunctions -- I regret to have to say it in this brave new world of globalized and outsourced cheap labor -- throw it out and get a new one. You'll have gotten your money's worth, I'm sure.So what else is good about it?Style: a matter of taste. It is sleek, modern and European in appearance. I like it.Frothing: Strong head of steam makes this quick and easy. The broad, plastic tip unscrews easily for rinsing, and cools very rapidly (unlike the metal tip on my old Mr. Coffee; the new models may have plastic tips as well).Filter basket: The housing is plastic (not metal), which cools rapidly and avoids the potential for burns from metal housings that are handled shortly after brewing for emptying/cleaning/reuse. There is a handy tab on the housing which flips up against the filter basket to hold it in place with one finger when you invert it and whip it madly against the inside of your plastic (hopefully) trash receptacle to empty the spent grinds. Best of all, the housing has two spouts (is that the right word?), which allows you to actually rest the housing and filter basket flat on on the counter without having to hold it as you fill it with freshly ground coffee. This a simple design feature, but it makes such a difference in everyday use compared to the Mr. Coffee, which you have to hold in one hand as you fill it. And, of course, should you choose not to use the carafe, you could make two expressos directly into the cups at the same time.Overall a great machine that makes very good to excellent expresso, is nicely styled, and has several intelligent design features that make it superior to the Mr. Coffee. So, have I convinced you?