Product review (5 stars): Love It, Despite a Few Minor Flaws
I desperately needed to get one of these portable ice makers, since I live in an apartment where the fridge does not have an ice maker and getting one is not an option. I waited until I found a unit for a price I was willing to pay and this Emerson unit fit the bill.

Yes, the unit is big and heavy. But it is so great to be able to have as much ice as you want whenever you want. The unit makes ice beautifully, in three different sizes. The cubes are a bit smaller than I expected, but that's OK. You can always select the large setting for bigger cubes. (I usually use medium.) The unit makes 9 cubes at a time, and it takes maybe 20 minutes to make the first batch of ice, maybe 10-15 minutes for consecutive batches.

The cubes are tubular in shape, with holes in the middle. The design makes them easy to put in Ziploc bags and store in your freezer until needed. (No need to run the machine every single day!) If they stick together, a little whack should separate the cubes.

A couple of things to keep in mind:

Before using the unit for the first time, add a little vinegar to the water and let the machine run. Dump the ice and and drain the water. Then, do a run with some lemon juice in the water. Again, dump the ice and drain. Then do a few runs with clean water. If you don't do this, the ice will have a bit of a chemical taste, even after several runs. (I thought several runs of plain water would clear up the taste, but it didn't. The vinegar and lemon juice, however, did the trick beautifully.) Also, you should probably use filtered water for a cleaner taste. (I use water from my sink that has gone through my Pur facuet filter.)

The plug for the water drainage is VERY small. Be careful with it. Also, because the plug is so small, draining the water takes a while. Gently tilting the unit (carefully!) will help to slightly speed up the process.

So yes, the machine has a few minor flaws, but the convenience more than makes up for it. It is great to have ice whenever needed, and it is so cool to watch the machine in action, when the built-in "spatula" scoops up the ice and tilts it into the basket! This is one of the best kitchen appliances I have ever bought, and I'm hopeful it will last for many years!