Beginner - starting with latte art, is this the machine to start with? please help. tia

This machine is perfect for latte art once you figure out its many quirks, especially as a beginner. YouTube really helps getting you started. Even so, I reached a point where I almost threw it out the window in frustration. It WAS me, not the machine. To summarize what helped me the most: 1. Get great, freshly roasted coffee from your local roasters (2week old is perfect). As a general rule, avoid very oily burnt beans. Your roaster can select something for you based on your tastes. Or you can get something like the Lavazza Super Crema for pretty shots. 2. Get a great grinder - expect to pay upward of $300 for one that is able to do espresso grinds. 3. Start with the pressurized portafilter to get crema. Once you graduate, get yourself a naked portafilter (58mm for Gaggia). It is a miracle to watch, although it immediately displays your incompetence if you didn't dry your portafilter or didn't tamp it properly by spitting coffee in all directions except your cup. 4. Always let the machine warm up and heat the portafilter and cups before shots. You need demitasse or espresso cups to fit under the spout, but a slightly taller cup may fit under the naked portafilter. 5. Buy 2 gallons of milk and set a few days aside to practice frothing. There will be a lot of whistling, huge bubbles, burnt fingers or flat soupy milk before you get it right. 6. Learn how to pour latte art. Again, videos. Swirl the espresso to spread the crema, fast swirl to mix, tilt on a single axis and then get close to the surface as you position the silky foam shapes, lift and sweep. Sounds exotic now, but you'll get it later. 7. Learn timing for temperature, extractions, steaming, pre-infusion etc. They will be particular to your machine and dependent on size of grind. Tweaking these will be fun. 8. Get a good 12oz pitcher, a 58mm weighted tamper, a thermometer and, if you feel extra nerdy, a scale. You can use a timer on your phone or a cheap kitchen one that can count seconds. They don't need to be top of the line unless your budget allows. I'm still learning and enjoy discovering new tricks every day, and I only sporadically get the latte art right. But when I do, my day is already better. Bottom line - if your drink is delicious, count it as a success, even when your art looks awful. Good luck!

Is this machine the most recent, updated version?

I'm not sure if this is the latest version. I have the chrome version. However this is a no bells and whistles version that I use everyday. It so far has performed flawlessly. If you want a bullet proof espresso machine this is it.

Brand	Gaggia
Colour	Thunder Black
Product Dimensions	20.3D x 24.1W x 36.1H Centimeters
Special Feature	9 Bar Extractions, Commercial Components, Made in Italy, Self Serviceable, Steel Housing
Coffee Maker Type	Espresso Machine
Style	classic,modern
Specific Uses For Product	Espresso
Recommended Uses For Product	Brewing Espresso, ESE Pods, Entertaining, Frothing Milk, Latte Art
Exterior Finish	Painted
Included Components	Espresso Machine, Water Reservoir,Reservoir Lid, Drip Tray, Drip Tray Cover, Decompression Duct Tube, Portafilter, Pressurized Double Shot Basket, Commercial Single Shot Basket, Commercial Double Shot Basket, Tamper, Coffee Scoop
Operation Mode	Semi-Automatic
Voltage	120.0
Model Name	Gaggia Classic E24
Number of Items	1
Human Interface Input	Buttons
Customer Package Type	Standard Packaging
Coffee Input Type	ground_coffee, ESE_pods
Is Dishwasher Safe	No
Manufacturer	Gaggia
Power Source	Corded Electric
UPC	075020090645
Item model number	RI9380/49
ASIN	B086H458MP

Gaggia RI9380/49 Classic Evo Pro Espresso Machine, Thunder Black, Small

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