This coffee maker definitely holds up to it's reputation. It was very easy to set up and it's so universal. You can use whole beans or coffee grounds. You can make an espresso or a large amount of coffee with just a push of a button. You can also choose how strong it is or even doing an iced coffee option. The set up guide was easy to get it going too. We filled the top with whole beans and selected the smallest cup of coffee (not espresso) and within 30 seconds we had a cup of fresh ground coffee. We have used 6 different types of coffee or espresso machines in the last year and this is our new favorite and we use it daily. This machine is amazing and so convenient.