My previous experiences with Illy espresso machines has generally been satisfactory but the X7.1 is a bit of a disappointment. There are two minor design flaws.  The water reservoir is difficult to remove and the steaming wand to short to use comfortably when steaming milk in a large pitcher.  I like to serve friends cappuccino, so I  steam enough milk in a large pictcher for them.  If I  steam the milk first, as illy suggests, the X7.1 takes a very long time to cool to the point where I can brew coffee.  If I brew the coffee first the espresso has cooled by the time the machine is ready to steam milk.  I very much preferred the Francis Francis I had before I bought the X7.1