Superior build quality --- Excellent Espresso beverages --- Very easy to use --- the Lexus of Espresso SuperAutomatica VISIT http://home.earthlink.net/~starbucksitalia/ for more information
Rock Solid construction - First Class solidarity. Brushed Steel sheetmetal housing - chrome drip tray lid and plastic tray and water tank. The Starbucks Digital Italia and Italia standard are truly the Lexus of Espresso machines in terms of build quality and price per performance/features/value. In terms of looks, most will find the Digital Italia to be quite elegant and modern. Everything is HEAVY. Ask any Italian, good machines once were judged by weight. Drip tray functions properly. Brew head is properly articulated and works well with a slightly larger shot glass {one that looks like a mini frothing pitcher works well}. The flow of liquid from the brew group doesn't always drip straight down, it usually cheats towards the outside of the flow of Espresso. So, instead of ||| ||| you have /// \\\ The Starbucks Itala and the Digital Italia are very similar; however, there are a few characteristics of the Digital Italia that make it a SuperAutomatic. Aside from the obvious benefit of the digital {LCD feedback} the body of the machine is made of high quality brushed steel sheet metal - and the steam wand is an improvement over the standard Italia - utilizing a ball joint pivot system, not a locked horizontal axis only wand as found on the Italia standard. The LCD on the Digitl Italia is backlit in cool blue. The buttons on the Italia standard are backlit in green (there is no digital display on the Italia standard); conversly, the Digital Italias buttons do not light, only the LCD. See the new website for a better detailed review of the Italia:
I would have rather purchased the machine from Starbucks directly; however, it was less expensive to purchase on eBay since the Starbucks sale was over when I purchased the item. The particular eBay seller that I purchased from was very non-responsive and I almost had to file a complaint with PayPal due to no response to e-mails sent. It is safe to buy on eBay, just make sure that the seller has 100% positive feedback and do not pay for the item until you have established correspondence with the seller. Good Luck! Visit the new website that I created for the Digital Italia for more information: http://home.earthlink.net/~starbucksitalia/ {Click on Digital Italia Review}
Three Month Followup
This machine has far exceeded my expectations after three months of ownership. The Starbucks Italia Digital is simply elegant and powerful. Starbucks does back the machine with a propper two year warranty; thus far, I have only had one problem that was minor. The Brew Group had a broken plastic piece (detailed on the website listed below) and Starbucks Warranty Services sent a new replacement promptly. The regular Starbucks Italia (Italia Standard - non digital) is no longer available for Sale and the Digital will be the only Italia from here on out. Please visit the website for the full Review and Photographs of the Italia Digital. New Recipes from Starbucks are included now. http://home.earthlink.net/~starbucksitalia/
