Yet another contender in the espresso pod market, the Mio is currently unavailable in North America... or any of the Americas, for that matter. Which is why I am putting serious thought into purchasing one and bringing it back with me while I'm in the UK... or Italy. Yes, I am prepared to deal with the voltage difference, that's not a problem.
I brought up the issue of pod machines a while back because I was considering having something around in my parent's home that would be easy for EVERYONE to use, because they don't want to keep an espresso machine that they have no interest in trying to learn how to use. I've had negative experiences in the past with pod machines, especially the Keurig (though not espresso, obviously). If I hadn't intended on returning it, I would have thrown the Keurig out the window. And the Nespresso machines are pretty terrible, in my experiences with them. So why am I still considering a pod machine? Again, so that everyone can use it.... PLUS I am masochistic... PLUS I love Lavazza. Hate illy, love Lavazza.
I realize that the majority of the posters on this board live in North America, but I figure it wouldn't kill me to ask... has ANYONE used this thing? Any intelligence or opinion of it? Saeco actually makes the unit, and I'm aware they have a decent reputation. I have no idea who makes the Nespresso machines. While they sell these machines at most major chains in the UK, I have yet to find a store that has one set up for testing. I did noticed they were selling pretty damn well when I was in Spain for a bit, and they take their espresso pretty seriously. In the UK, they like espresso, but it's not a serious relationship and I've had some pretty awful coffee experiences there, where as the experiences in both Italy and Spain were more consistently positive.
I've checked on importing it from the US through a third party since the Lavazza store WILL NOT ship to North America.... I'd be looking at $400-500, which is not worth it. If I purchase it in Europe, it would cost me about $200 total to buy and ship it home.
I require sage advice, per favore.
PS - I'm looking at the 'premium' model which offers some control of the temperature.
PPS - I do own a Handpresso, and would say that's my only good experience with pods thus far. So it's not all negative.