Bosch TAS1202GB Tassimo Hot Drinks Machine, Black

I think this is an excellent little machine. I live on my own and so I don't require a water tank that can hold so much, since refilling the 0.7 litre tank on this is very easy to do.I've tried a few of the T-Disc varieties and they've all been mostly very good. I have to say though that my favourites so far have been 'Jacobs Cappuccino' which I think is absolutely great and 'Jacobs Latte Macchiato Caramel' which is also very good. I worked out that it costs around 65 cents per cup for a Cappuccino (a 'Jacobs Cappuccino' pack of 8 costs 5.20 Euros), which is still a big difference from the 2.50 Euros I paid at one of the cheapest Coffeehouses here. We also recently paid 7 Euros (3.50 each) for a couple of Cappuccinos at another local Café and you'd definitely pay even more than that at a 'Starbucks' or 'Gloria Jean's'. I also prefer the taste of the Cappuccino this makes to many of those.This is a great little machine which doesn't take up too much space, brews up a great tasting coffee in seconds at a very decent cost and is low-maintenance. What more could you want?

this is my first coffee machine and so have nothing to compare it with but, having said that, this machine is great. The instructions are not very clear but after reading other reviews and looking it up on internet (YouTube video) I found out how to use it properly! As it is small it fits great on kitchen bench, not taking up too much room. The drinks are lovely and now I only use this machine - not sure I could go back to drinking instant coffee, The pods are quite pricey but I tend to stock up when they are on offer at the supermarket which saves a bit of money. You can only do 1 drink at a time but as the drinks are ready so quickly it is not too much of a problem if you are serving up an extra cup for someone else as not long to wait for the drinks to be ready.I do think it is worth looking up how to use it before using as I made a complete mess when I did not pop a pod in properly and the pod tore, causing a real mess.I followed the advice of someone else leaving a review by popping the hot chocolate pod in the microwave on half power for a few seconds which helped to melt the hot chocolate - otherwise you find not all of the hot chocolate melts in the pod - and the microwave helps to soften the hot chocolate before using in the Tassimo machine which then gives you a lovely hot chocolate drink. Okay now need to get a hot chocolate as feel the need now lol

Firstly the instructions are a little unclear as just pictures - so spent a little time looking at them. Most people would prefer written instructions. Plus some details missing.First - to set up the machine for first use you must clean it by running water through and using a little yellow/greenish disk. Now I started to panic that I'd got a duff machine as when I pressed the cup button nothing happened. It asks you to run 3 lots through and when I finally ran 1 lot through I couldn't get it to do a 2nd. I waited 2 mins, then 5 mins and 10 mins... nothing. Was getting quite frustrated so took the yellow disc out and popped it back in, pressed the cup button again and this time it worked. But alas, when I tried to get 3rd cup again the button did nothing. I went online to have a look and see if reviews said anything about having to wait half an hour between making drinks (which would be absurd) and nothing. However I eventually came across some test reviews on 'mumsnet'. One woman said that her machine didn't recognise the code on the yellow disc. I tried removing the disc again and popping it back in and finally got the 3rd run through.Now to start making drinks. I put a pod/disc in for espresso and it worked! HURRAY! Then tried a hot choc and again it worked... so must just be an issue with these yellow discs. Don't let yellow disc deter you - There is no downtime between making drinks.Some people have said it doesn't make drinks hot enough... this is absolute rubbish! If you know anything about coffee you make it too hot and you burn the coffee. The drinks come out of this machine too hot for me to drink straight away (but i can't take freshly made drinks from kettle anyway) but I don't think it needs to make them any hotter. Seems right to me!Machine looks good, and works well. Not plasticky, actually seems quite sturdy and looks lovely on worktop. The water holder is absolutely fine easy to pull in and out. Can't fault it.Oh - something thats not mentioned in the instructions... if you want to make the drink a little longer by adding extra water:Press and hold the drink button for desired amount of time as the drink is finishing, the water will continue until you release button.It is cheaper to order the discs from the Tassimo website than anywhere else, and if you wait until your machine arrives you get vouchers with it to order from the website. Delivery on drinks from Tassimo is next day if you order early enough.Cheap, compact and does the job. I'm getting a milk frother hot/cold machine so I can add real milk to the black coffees. This is preferable to the milk discs Tassimo sell. Now we just need them to expand the range of flavoured espressos. They seem to sell hazelnut/vanilla etc. discs in USA, who knows why not in the UK?