An automatic drip brewer heats water and distributes it over ground coffee held in a filter. Brewed liquid drains into a serving vessel; the grounds stay behind. The appeal is the ability to prepare a batch while doing something else, rather than managing every pour by hand.
Start with the smallest and largest quantities you regularly make. A large advertised cup count may use a smaller serving definition than your mug. Then compare thermal and heated-plate serving arrangements, how easily the water tank fills, and whether the filter basket and carafe can be cleaned without awkward corners.
The source describes several established approaches: programmable brewing, built-in grinders and enclosed dispensers that serve one cup from a prepared batch. These are features to investigate, not evidence that a particular older model remains the best current purchase. Check the exact current model and manual. Grind fresh when practical, measure coffee and water, and keep the brewing path clean before judging differences between machines.
The conversation
A good question can make a better brew.