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La Marzocco Linea Mini

10K views 77 replies 39 participants last post by  Mrboots2u 
#1 ·
La Marzocco Linea Mini
Love the looks, it's up to date tech and good value for money824.24%
Questionable looks and think it's over hyped and over priced.2266.67%
I don't know, I just know I want a LMLM, I value the brand, please take my money39.09%
 
#2 ·
mini.jpg


I think these are over £3500 in standard form. I think it's an incredibly ugly machine and whenever I have seen them in the flesh over the years they never look any better. The looks are what I would describe as Agricultural in comparison with similar priced competitors in the market. They are well made inside but do seem to lack many basic functions...the technology also seems rustic at best. They are large and wouldn't fit easily in many small kitchens

Now this is just my opinion but I'm curious if others think it looks good, with great tech and good value for money?

I don't want this to descend into mud slinging and references or comparisons to other machines, this is specifically about the LMLM. Please keep it respectful, as there may be some owners of these machines
 
#3 ·
I appreciate they're very well regarded as a machine and a manufacturer so the quality should be right up there but the looks, in my opinion, don't match the build quality and price point.

Of course I've never seen one in the flesh so reserve the right to go weak at the knees should I ever lay eyes on one.
 
#6 ·
I used one in a coffee training centre, they're ideal for that and small cafes. Well made and respected as you say. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Me personally, I like my shiny shiny, and don't have the space or budget for one of those. To me it's a workhorse rather than an ideal machine for the home, but some will love it for exactly that. There's definitely a market for "industrial looks" much in the same way as a lot of hifi was sold in the 1990s in 19" rack format with handles, looking more like a network switch than something for listening to tunes.

___

Eat, drink and be merry
 
#7 ·
I like my tech relatively simple and the Mini appeals to that. It feels like there is less to go wrong with it, and there are already so many variables to making espresso. The digital 'paddle' does irritate me though.

@DavecUK, I'm curious if there is there a price at which you would recommend it, or do you think it's so lacking in features/behind technologically that there are better options at all price points?
 
#8 ·
I like my tech relatively simple and the Mini appeals to that. It feels like there is less to go wrong with it, and there are already so many variables to making espresso. The digital 'paddle' does irritate me though.

@DavecUK, I'm curious if there is there a price at which you would recommend it, or do you think it's so lacking in features/behind technologically that there are better options at all price points?
I started the topic as part of another project I'm playing around with. So I'm quite interested in peoples perceptions, both owners, non owners and those who will never own one but wish they could. I suspect the price reflects the cost of production (which includes, advertising, marketing activities, support, training etc.. not just the raw cost of producing a machine).

It's like asking if a BMW or a Mercedes is value for money....If I had to compare my BMW experience with one of my cars to my wifes Hyundai...the Hyundai is 9 years old never had a problem and still looks almost new (fantastic paint on it)...I would say the Hyundai is value for money winner hands down. However, BMW and Mercedes sell lots of cars and there must be a reason!

I think if the question was are there better options for me at all price points, the answer would be yes....but I think I might view my personal requirements for a machine differently to other people.
 
#10 ·
I personally do not mind the looks. Not something to lust after but not it is not a car crash either.

Having worked on their bigger brothers I can say they are nicely put together and they produce solid results. They are however very expensive compared to similar products on the market, not something I would ever recommend if someone asked me what to purchase but if you do not mind paying the premium then fair enough.
 
#11 ·
It's old tech/ low-fi but it gets the basics right. It is well made even if it doesn't make the most of its design (e.g. no pressure profiling, no hi-res temperature setting (I think it uses a higher/ lower dial)). As for looks - it has the look of something used in a specialist coffee shop, and that may be enough for some. I think it looks good but that may be more because I associate it with good coffee had from the coffee shows that use it.

Do I have the space for one? No. Do I have the need for one? No. If I did and money were no object would I buy one? No (although if you'd asked me a year ago you might have got a different answer). I think I'd go for a lever now or a Decent (at totally different ends of the spectrum!).
 
#18 ·
@DavecUK - I do like them in a industrial slightly "if the Soviet Union built a coffee machine" kind of way especially the blue paint job.

I did not realise the paddle wasn't to control the pump for manual profiling Like a Slayer. It is very expensive then for what you getting if that is the case! 😂
Yeah I believe it's just a switch (plastic I think there are aftermarket customised wooden ones available). I think the Soviet Union appearance, rather than build quality, is a good way of describing it and perhaps better than my "agricultural" term.
 
#17 ·
I love the Linea mini in the same way I love brutalist architecture. It's a refreshing departure from the traditional polished stainless machines that often look like lab gear!

My dream is to find a beat up one to fix up but sadly these things tend to be very well looked after! Hoping someone accidentally drops one down some stairs or something and lists it here.
 
#19 ·
I borrowed a LMLM for quite a while, I enjoyed the simplicity of it, I liked the tactile nature of the paddless/taps, I enjoyed the way it looked on the counter more than a generic shiny metal box like most espresso machines, it has a personality.

Are you paying a premium for the LM name? Of course. Is it overpriced? Probably, it's the same with any big name "brand". I had no issues with this machine though.
 
#22 ·
I honestly don't know why anybody wouldn't have a Decent for the same money. But I would say that.

A less than satisfactory response to accusations of racism levied against LM has left me opposed to them in any event.

Oh, and it looks a bit shit in my view.
 
#24 ·
I honestly don't know why anybody wouldn't have a Decent for the same money. But I would say that.
Bit of a different market though, no? The LMLM is a no fuss, no thinking machine. With the Decent you end up with lots of data, graphs, profiles, etc. I realise you don't have to use that stuff but it is there and it is a hurdle for those that just want a shot. Plus lots of people don't like menus/touchscreens/etc. in their machine and prefer a tactile button/lever approach... Neither is better/worse just a different aim for the machine in my view.
 
#23 ·
Yeah I'm with a few of the others above - I actually like the looks, but for me (with no hands on experience) it feels waaaay over priced.

The reason I like the looks is because it's not just a chrome box. I really don't like chrome in general so was really happy when the MaraX came in a brushed finish. I wish more machines came in just plain white though, or maybe black.

Functionality-wise, it annoys me that the slider on the front doesn't pressure/flow profile like a Bianca. The fact it's a glorified switch is a bit odd to me. But if you want more functionality you have to look to someone like Titus and I can't imagine how much that costs! Other than that though, it does seem like a really well constructed and solid DB.

For £3500, I'd be looking at a Decent and I belive I'd have change left to spare. Or maybe a different really capable DB of some sort with pressure profiling etc.

Also, I think you pay extra for a wooden slider etc don't you? So probably looking more like £4k if I bought what I actually wanted. That's a hefty amount of money.
 
#27 ·
Yeah, and I ignored that. It's not a choice based on absolute criteria - it's all relative. Otherwise it would be either an LMLM or it would be no coffee machine at home; in which case it would be the LMLM every time.

Sorry, @Power Freak - I think you got the ire directed at me. I think Dave has me blocked and so only saw you quoting me.
 
#28 ·
Its a nice enough looking machine (though I've never seen one outside of the internet), but it's not "drop dead gorgeous" to my eyes. I guess I'm fortunate enough to be able to spend that amount on a hobby item if I chose to, but this particular one doesn't make me reach for the credit card.
I haven't voted, because none of the options fit for me.

Regards,
John
 
#29 ·
Its a nice enough looking machine (though I've never seen one outside of the internet), but it's not "drop dead gorgeous" to my eyes. I guess I'm fortunate enough to be able to spend that amount on a hobby item if I chose to, but this particular one doesn't make me reach for the credit card.
I haven't voted, because none of the options fit for me.

Regards,
John
It's interesting because some years ago I think the responses would have been completely different. I guess it reflects how the home market has moved forward so much in the technologies and the machines on offer. I'm not even sure how much thought LM give to the home market, especially the home market outside the USA.
 
#30 ·
Always quite liked the looks but definitely overpriced for what you get. If it shipped with the Slayer style features that many modify after the fact then it'd be stronger value proposition. And if it came with googly eyes for the knobs I'd buy one in a flash.
 
#31 ·
IMO it looks legit. Oldschool elegant. It's meant to carry over the looks of its bigger brothers/sisters but I guess at this single group size the styling makes it look a tad bulky and "overdressed" compared to others. But just as everyone else here I think they're massively overpriced. Even second hand on Barista Marketplace go for 3k. Bonkers.
 
#33 · (Edited by Moderator)
Id buy one under these circumstances.

I could afford it.

I cant be arsed to join a coffee forum to seek guidance.

I know the name from the commercial machines id seen in my local coffee shops, coupled with its price id assume i was buying the tits of a home espresso machine.

i would love one, and to be fair I've always wanted one, it was always the machine i thought was end game. I know better now (just from being a member here) that actually its an extremely over priced machine. 👍🏼
 
#34 ·
Having used one, I think the Linea Mini is excellent at what it sets out to do - brew shots at 9 bar and steam milk. However I don't think it's good value, even if the style and colours are refreshingly different from most other prosumer machines.

I think the Linea Mini, in its simplicity and reliability, appeals to people who are just getting into espresso but have lots of money. These are not the kind of people to join a forum like this and work their way up the machine ladder. The LMLM is essentially a high-end entry-level machine and I think that's what makes it stand out. La Marzocco are also good at marketing towards this set of people.

For low commercial use at a trade show or coffee cart, I think the LMLM is useful because of the reliability and the NSF rating - it feels like a commercial LM to use and people seem to like it for this purpose. But the lack of volumetric dosing makes it not quite perfect either.

I like the Linea Mini but I definitely couldn't justify it at the current price. I think most of us would want more features than we already have on our machines for the LMLM's price tag.
 
#43 ·
The LMLM is essentially a high-end entry-level machine and I think that's what makes it stand out. La Marzocco are also good at marketing towards this set of people.
Yep. I chose the second option in the poll, because while I think they're cute (especially the ones with wooden accents), I couldn't stomach the idea of dropping that much money on a machine. I know they're allegedly workhorses, but I'm half-convinced I'd find a way to break one in minutes. I am a noob, it is my way.

I did spend €2k this year on a new machine and grinder, but I couldn't justify spending closer to €5k when I was already worried that I would be the worst barista in existence and end up with an expensive (but very pretty) kitchen ornament. Turns out I needn't have worried, but I also haven't regretted not blowing my savings on one.
 
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