Pros: Flow control lever is something I didn't expect to use as much as I do. Great feature. Very quiet compared to vibe pump machines. PID control is great, I love being able to see the pressure at the group head and the pump level too. Seems well built. Dual boiler and rotary pump at this price point is impossible to find outside of this machine. This feels like a machine with no functional compromises for its price point, where many other machines either use vibe pumps, are single boilers, have a tiny drip tray, no direct plumb, etc.
Cons: A bit nitpicky, but this thing is heavy. Put it somewhere you don't need to move it. Have two people if possible to lift it up onto the counter. I make a mess making coffee, I have thick hands. I can't quite fit my hands under the machine to clean the counter. I'll probably look into getting something I can set this on to just keep the work space a little cleaner.
General: Like others, I recommend a smart plug so you can have it warmed up in the morning. I do not direct plumb mine, so no context on those features, but drip tray + tank is good size and I don't have a ton of waste water happening, so it hasn't bothered me so far.
