We have an expensive coffee maker and a 15 dollar french press. Even on busy mornings the french press wins out every time. My wife will not even drink coffee at the house if it is not made with the press. It just tastes better, not bitter, more creamy and flavorful.
We have a coffee grinder and grind our beans on the most corse setting. With that, we let the coffee sit once its in teh french press for a few minutes longer. We store them at room temperature in an airtight container. I have found that the freezer zaps the oils in the beans and leaves them somewhat lacking in flavor and profile.
Just my
anyway.