Ask Engadget: Best home espresso machine?

I have a pretty boring job. I’m not complaining, but I’ve just been looking for a good espresso machine for home use
to get me going in the AM. Semi-auto is fine, but full auto’s probably a little much, and it needs to be something
that works well, won’t require a lot of maintainence, and that the wife won’t kick out of the kitchen because
it’s so ugly. I hear the Rancilio Silvia has the best bang/buck, but is there anything else out there worth the cash?