Well it's certainly not something for the lower classes but for successful people with taste and class it really fills a niche. I fill this machine with beans and water, turn it on, it grinds them, i adjust the coffee dial to my desired strength, push a button for my desired serving, out it comes, after that the grounds are deposited into an internal container I haven't had to empty yet and the machine tells you when it's full. I usually froth about 12 ounces of milk which takes about an additional 2 minutes and then I have to wipe off the frothing tip, but really if you're not a lazy blob of lethargic peasantry it isn't too bad.