As Das is the UAE's main oil hub (offshore), any attack on it would have a major impact on the UAE economy hence why it is classed as "Critical National Infrastructure". So rightly or wrongly, they don't allow things such as cameras. They even scan USB pen drives at Abu Dhabi airport upon departure for Das. Though i do partly undertstand their paranoia considering that Iran has "occupied" some of UAE's islands in the region.

http://www.abudhabi.ae/egovPoolPortal_WAR/appmanager...

I wish you the best of luck there - it sounds pretty barren...... Virtually all male (perhaps all male?), presumably no bars/alcohol, few (if any) places of entertainment?

How long are you there for?

Thanks! Yes it's all males on the island (females are strictly banned LOL). I'll be there for a couple of years at least on a 28 days on/ 28 days off rotation with paid leave/flights back to Blighty. Sure its not gonna be a holiday camp, but it'll pay off the mortgage back home so can't complain too much

Edited by deleted (Tue 06-Sep-11 18:12:20)

2 years - Yikes! I have a neighbour who was working in Saudi for a while on the same 4 weeks on 4 weeks off basis and he managed, but didn't like it too much - however as you say it paid off the mortgage

Best of luck - maybe post in FC and let us know how you're doing?

Having read a few reviews of that Dell, I'm not overly impressed. All of them comment on poor performance and battery life (2.5 hours as opposed to 7 for the X220). Another feature that would worry me is that the battery isn't replaceable. It is very lightweight, but you seem to sacrifice a lot for that. Bear in mind that neither of these machines sports an optical drive.

Post deleted by billford