Great detailed explanation, thank you.

True, you have to sacrifice some cup quality and fine tuning with automatic espresso machines, but I still love my Delonghi Magnífica XS. It gives me pretty decent espresso, is fast, reliable, easy to maintain and easy to use; sometimes even, stars align and it brings a delicious cup.

I work from home and had to decide between this and a entry level "real" espresso machine and had to accept that I really needed a fast work flow to get my coffee fix during work hours and to get a nice fast latte or cappuccino for breakfast. If I have the time to prepare a outstanding cup, I turn to my V60. If I have even more time, I go to some coffee shop to get a great espresso.