What's the difference between a programmable drip coffee maker and a basic one?

Programmable models let you set a brew time (commonly 24 hours in advance), choose brew strength (regular vs. bold), and often include small-batch or 1-4 cup modes for partial pots. Basic switch-style brewers just turn on and off. Reviewers consistently note programmability is most valuable if you want coffee waiting at wake-up; if you only ever push a button, the savings from a non-programmable model are real.