http://www.viewpoints.com/aboutme/askrob Tue, 13 May 2008 22:55:51 GMT Reviews by askrob http://www.viewpoints.com/Dell-XPS-M1330-Laptop-review-87131 I have owned over 6 Dell laptops over the last 12 years. Throw in a Sony Vaio, IBM ThinkPad and an HP Pavilion, and I still think one could call me a Dell loyalist. For the last five years I owned a Dell Latitude D400. In spite of the some of its speed/power issues, it was great for its size, weight, style and build quality. — So when it came time to retire the Latitude, I looked at the Dell XPS 1330. Given its weight, speed and price, plus all of its touted bells and whistles, it seemed like the logical choice. — The System: — XPS M1330, Matte Black Casing — Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7500 (2.2GHz/800MhzFSB, 4M L2 Cache) — 4GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 Dimm — 13.3 Inch Wide Screen WXGA TL WLED Backlit LCD with Camera — 320-5603 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS — 250GB 5400RPM SATA HARD DRIVE — 8X DVD+/-RW Slot Load Drive — 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery — 85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Additional Battery... Tue, 13 May 2008 22:55:51 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Dell-XPS-M1330-Laptop-review-87131 askrob 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/RIM-BlackBerry-8700-Smartphone-review-f3af0 I have been using this phone for the last 5 months, and have owned a BlackBerry in the past. My real purpose in using this phone is the e-mail function. I think the general issue with this phone is that e-mail platform is a little clunky and antiquated. As a BlackJack user as well, there is sharp contrast between the functionality and feature set of the two. The BlackBerry's e-mail platform makes it difficult to view e-mails, see object details and find specific files. Cutting and pasting (addresses and other text) is awkward, it is hard to edit text, and difficult to view or attach files. While not all Microsoft applications are wonderful in themselves, the benefits of  a Microsoft e-mail platform as with the Samsung BlackJack seems to really stand out here versus this BlackBerry. — — The size, weight and feature set are also a drag on this phone. If you have no choice and your corporate infrastructure insists on using this phone, then I guess you can make do. But... Sat, 10 May 2008 17:15:15 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/RIM-BlackBerry-8700-Smartphone-review-f3af0 askrob 2 http://www.viewpoints.com/Gran-Melia-Puerto-Rico-Rio-Grande-review-440f3 I had a chance to stay in a Melia property a year ago while on business in Cancun. The ME Cancún was recently renovated, and I was really impressed with my experience. So, when it came time for a real vacation, we took a chance on another new Melia property in Puerto Rico. Again the experience was most enjoyable. The atmosphere is a mix between Carribean, Latin and Asian fusion. The staff were great, the rooms were first rate, grounds, pools and beaches were beautiful. We also really enjoyed the food and tried to sample all the restaurants - especially the Asian Bistro. — There were some snags: reservations for the restaurants usually needed to be made well in advance, taxis to and from San Juan were expensive, and there were often lines for things such as the poolside cafe. The "ambient/techno" club feel of the lobby bar also may not be everyone's cup of tea. However, when you factor in the setting, ocean, sun, rain forest, Old San Juan, and the temperature these issues... Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:15:07 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Gran-Melia-Puerto-Rico-Rio-Grande-review-440f3 askrob 4