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The middle-ground here would be a Sage machine that is sort-of semi bean-to-cup. This one will grind and tamp the coffee and froth milk decently, but can also be used with pre-ground if people want to bring their own (decaf, for example), it also does hot water. That would be a lot closer to real espresso if you're fussy. I have no info about ease of cleaning or longevity, as I've only used a relative's (and was quite impressed).
ffm-
My thoughts also, the thought of people in work attempting to use and not properly cleaning a regular espresso machine is not something that fills me with joy. To be honest this even applied when I worked in a coffee shop
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Yeah, I got my boss to buy that machine for my office.
Any less automation on an espresso machine is a complete waste of time, and to be honest it's slightly regrettable to have gone with one that requires people to wipe the wand clean at the least.
Guess who cleans it every week.
mmccarthy
neu
1000-1500 I guess.... basically the choices are a beans to cup coffee machine which is not completely unlike coffee or a nespresso machine (well, I have a little filter and an aeropress for me).