I bought my Vitamix S30 here in Australia and it wasn't cheap(!!!) - similar price to the 5200 model at the time. It took about +1year after the USA release before the S30 made its appearance down-under, all the while Vitamix released 2 more personal blender models in the interim, bth of which aren't offered for sale here in Australia (point I'm trying to make here is the pathetic state of Vitamix AUS et al. regarding blenders and accessories etc) - The copper 750 made its "appearance" 6 months ago and the Acsent Series is unheard off.... Getting back to the S30; I bought the blender because I wanted to blend smaller quantities for 1-2 persons, as well as to use it for food prep - similar to Indian food grinders for use in prepping spice pastes etc. Well, the single serve containers are too tall and narrow for this particular task - the new 8oz containers would be great addition to the personal series line-up, but Vitamix and their designed-obsolesence have not made this for the personal series. While others may say; just buy their bigger more powerful machines and get the necessary acccesories. Yes true, but I wanted a machine with a smaller footprint but with all of the versitilty of a larger vitamix with its range of accessories. Also, cost is a major factor - I saved up for more than a year to be able to buy this machine. I am sure there are people similar to my position who don't really want, require or have the counter space for their larger machines, but would like Vitamix to expand the Personal Series accessores range to include smaller blending containers/bowls and possibly offering a dry-blade base option as well. Yes, the blender blends smoothies well, provided the blend product is prepped according to Vitamix instructions and there is sufficient liquid present, but I feel the blending vortex is somewhat compromised as the blend swirls around the 40oz containers' sides as opposed to being directed into the spinning blade for a more efficient and quicker blend. This could have been acheived by making the internal protrusions more angular - similar to the 64oz container as opposed to the rounded protrusions that are currently found in the 40oz container. There is no doubting the build quality of this machine - it is top notch. Perhaps maybe a 'top notch' exercise in planned designed-obsolescence from Vitamix. It is a shame that Vitamix didn't really expand on the capability of this potentially wonderful machine. The build quality certainly is heads-above Nutri-Bullet etc- bar the Pulse feature and vented lid-plug for making hot soups, the Nutri-Bullet with its bowl-like containers may be a better all-round small footprint, counter-top food prep machine - real shame that. So currently the machine sits on my counter-top with little use, while I am disillusioned with my rather expensive purchase of Vitamixs' planned designed-obsolescence.

I presently own a Vitamix Clasic C Series Blender and love it. I brought the S Series for a winter home based on my experience with the C Series and its compact size. What a disappointment. When using it on high speeds it vibrates so much it moves along the countertop. The cleanup it's not as easy as the C-Series. The container, the seal and blade have to be separated in order to clean. I notice an electrical burning odor when the motor is running on high for less than a minute. It does blend good. I would definitely buy another Vitamix, I just would not buy or recommend the S Series.

I bought my Vitamix because I wanted to be able to make green smoothies. You put spinach in a blender with ice, milk, fruit, and protein powder and it makes a delicious beverage. Other blenders work on most things, but with the Vitamix everything comes out nice and smooth, with nothing floating on the top. Also the moving parts are all steel, while other blenders use plastic for the moving parts, so they burn up.