The GS3 arrives!

Today was a good day. I just had to cut my day at the office short when I received the news that my GS3 had arrived. I couldn't wait. In the box are two PF's like with most machines, a plastic tamper (better than any plastic one I've seen before, but disposable nonetheless), two single and three double filters plus the plumbing in kit. No double boxing, though (or handles to make carrying a bit more convenient).

The machine itself looks like the prototypes. No paddle group as you can see. Also, the side panels are of the kind found in the latter prototypes. For my eyes, they have the functional beauty of the rest of the machine. Unlike with the prototypes, in the production version the water reservoir is in the base of the machine. The good news that it is now more easily removable for cleaning (I can't comment on day to day usability yet).



The keypad and the wider drip tray we have seen in the later prototypes. The steam and hot water wands now have free movement and the drip tray cover looks slightly different. Overall, I much prefer these to the early prototypes.




The back of the machine is also of polished stainless steel with a GS3 logo that again is tastefully in line with the design of the rest of the machine (and reflection of the original GS logo).


Also in the box is the European CE certificate, an installation guide and a software programming guide! The latter is a 29 page document. My machine is number 13 off the line. A lucky number? No 12 went to Klaus Thomsen (the current WBC champ) and the first 11 were prototypes so as far as I know, my machine is the second production machine off the production line!



It looks this is going to be a busy weekend...