Even when I was young and single I had a blender, it was a Black & Decker then too (much more ancient model), but I've always been happy with the black & Decker blenders, and I'm so happy with the Cyclone 18-speed that I didn't see why we should have a food processor as well as a blender, much to my wife's chagrin. The Cyclone, with 18 digital settings and a sturdy 475 Watt engine can blend just about anything you've a mind to blend. You can crush ice, make bread crumbs (don't ask it's a very long story), squash tomatoes to make 'in-a-pinch' ketchup, blend up shakes and smoothies and salsas and dips, even stir up daiquiris and margaritas and other adult beverages. What else could a fellow possibly need?

True it doesn't slice and dice like a food processor, but it does have a 48 oz. pitcher that allows for some serious beverage mixing and it takes up a lot less space on the counter. A definite plus is that not only does it look space age-ish, like something out of a futuristic science fiction movie, but it has a nifty little compartment to store the cord it.

On the down side, the space age-ish digital buttons are rather heat sensitive, so don't get them too close to anything hot because the touch-sensitive panels will start to peel, and the cord is rather short, which makes it difficult to get liquids and items into the blender if I have it plugged in beneath an overhanging cupboard. Also, don't try to use it for ultra heavy mixtures, like chopping nuts or mixing bread dough, because the motor will start to overheat.

But if you've a mind to use the blender for the purpose which it was intended for, the Black & Decker Cyclone 18 speed is a logical choice.