I love this machine for making lattes and cappuccinos. The pressure from the steamer is great, leading to excellent foam. The espresso comes out with a nice crema and can be consumed on its own. I've worked in (too) many coffee shops and I can't complain about the final product here. The only way to make your coffee better, is to buy better beans.
My issues with this machine are with the actual machine, not the espresso it makes. The steam wand is essentially fixed in place. You can move it out, but it springs back into place, which is inconveniently nestled under the top of the machine. This makes the unit great to store but is a bit of a pain to use. The tip of the steam wand is removable but it is cheap plastic and feels pretty flimsy. It hasn't broken or anything, I just feel that a steel tip looks nicer and is more sanitary and easier to clean. Also, there is nothing to really grasp when you are trying to place the brewing handle (don't know the technical name), you have to grip the side of the machine in order to really lock it in place. Finally, there is very little room between the brew spouts and the platform for the cups. I purchased two single shot cups that were too tall and now I have to remove the stainless steel part every time I brew with them.
I would certainly buy this machine again. It's cheap, fast and makes good espresso drinks but there are some issues that could be addressed.