racoma.com.phJ. Angelo Racoma on technology, economics, writing, problogging, and getting things done

Last time I reviewed a Smart Bro plugit prepaid kit, with the intent of trying it out first before plunging into a postpaid subscription. I had submitted documents for an unlimited subscription last week, but I’m having second thoughts already at this point.

First, I’ve been submitting all kinds of financial documents, but the approving officer/s don’t seem to consider my finances enough to sustain the unlimited PhP 1,500 plan (or even the lower plan, for that matter). Not only is it disheartening, but for someone who pays for almost everything in cash, this is really frustrating. I even asked if I could pay for the subscription for the entire two-year lock-in period in outright cash (which translates to PhP 36,000) and they said I couldn’t do so.

I’m somehow glad I didn’t get approved. At least not yet. Reading around and from my own tests using my 3.5G-enabled Nokia E51, I’m thinking Globe Visibility is the better option.

I picked up a prepaid kit for PhP 2,500. This came with PhP 30 in prepaid load.

Here’s a comparison with Smart, based on my experience.

Pros

Convenience. For me, Globe is the more convenient option, since I use a Globe prepaid as my main mobile phone line (my alternate phone is a prepaid PLDT wireless landline). Smart BRO can only be loaded either via electronic load, or by scratch card. With the scratch card option, you can only reload by texting some codes using a Smart cellphone.

With Globe Visibility, I can just pass (or “share”) credits from my phone’s own. This simplifies things, and this is probably cheaper in the long run, if I’m just a light user. Also, I’m a big fan of Globe’s share-a-load because of its flexibility.

Speed. Based on my speed tests, Globe 3G and 3.5G connections are generally faster than Smart’s. I read somewhere that Globe’s 3G network is a “true” 3G network, whereas Smart’s is not (or something to that effect). So this means that while the point-to-point connection may be the same for both, the actual throughput is faster from Globe’s network. Speed test results below.

Hardware. Smart’s black USB dongle looks sleek (it seems to be made of aluminum or some light metal alloy, too!), but I generally find Globe’s ZTE MF626 better because of the brand and support. Because these are more widespread, you have better support (both official and community-based) for ZTE, in terms of firmware upgrades, driver upgrades, and even drivers for open-source OSes.

Also, the Visibility package’s ZTE MF626 has a slot for a micro-SD card. I know most laptops and netbooks these days come with multi-card readers, this can be handy for those who don’t have a micro-SD to SD converter, or those who don’t have a slot at all.

SIM Functionality. The Visibility bundled SIM card can be used for calling and texting. Smart Bro’s SIM can not. And so while the bundled software cannot let you make calls from your Globe Visibility SIM, you can use it to send and receive SMS. I doubt if you want to do this, though, since I think receiving SMS or calls can usually cut off data connections.

Cons

Now Visibility has some disadvantages over Smart BRO.

Time-based charging. Globe does offer time-based charging, so you don’t get charged according to the amount of data transferred. With Smart, the charge is PhP 10 (or about $0.20) per 30-minute block. For Globe, the charge is PhP 5 per 15-minute connection period. Now with Smart, the moment you connect is considered the start of a 30-minute block, and you can reconnect an indefinite number of times within that 30-minute period, and you will only be charged once. So this means you can use your Smart BRO connection on different devices and you only get charged PhP 10 for a 30-minute period.

With Globe, you get charged each time you connect. So if you get disconnected in the middle of a session, you start with your PhP 5 per 15 minutes again. The moment you connect, that’s PhP 5. If you get disconnected after 5 minutes, and reconnect again, you get deducted PhP 5 again for the first 15 minutes.

This is generally good for those who only need quick bursts of connectivity through a day, like for checking emails, twittering, or the like, since you only spend PhP 5 for that 15 minute period. But if you tend to get disconnected a lot, then it will end up more expensive.

Update: Since early 2009, Globe has implemented block-based charging. You only get charged PhP 5 per 15 minute block, regardless of how many times you re-connect during this period.

Image compression. Globe Visibility uses image compression technology to make downloads and page loading faster. The downside is that you sometimes get ugly, pixelated images! Sometimes images even get resized so websites look bad. One workaround is by using tunneling software or local proxy software such as toonel.

Software Overhead. In general, Globe Visibility’s dialer takes longer to load than Smart BRO’s. and the footprint of the Globe connection manager is about four times that of Smart’s. Globe’s will eat about 20 megabytes of RAM, while smart will only take 5 megs.

Other observations

From my tests, it seems that both Smart and Globe allow access to non-HTTP ports like FTP, telnet, and IM ports. But I haven’t tried downloading torrents from either.

Price-wise, both prepaid kits seem at par with each other:

Globe Visibility

• Kit price: PhP 2,500
• Inclusive of PhP 30 prepaid credits

Smart BRO Plug-It

• Kit price: PhP 2,500
• Inclusive of PhP 100 prepaid credots
• Must purchase a PhP 300 prepaid card along with kit

So Smart BRO ends up more expensive nominally, because you are required to purchase a PhP 300 prepaid card. But the kit itself has more inclusive credits out of the box (PhP 100 for Smart and PhP 30 for Globe).

A PhP 300 load from either network would expire within two months if not used. The good thing with Globe is that you can transfer credits to another Globe prepaid subscriber (whether Visibility or not). Also, if you decide to load thru card, you can actually use the free SMS credits that come with PhP 300 or 500 cards (you would have to load by plugging in the Visibility SIM on a regular phone, though).

Images

3G connection earlier today:

HSDPA connection from my home office:

Globe Visibility dialer:

Globe Visibility prepaid pack:

Globe Visibility MF626 plugged into Compaq B1200:

Plugged into HP mini note:

Smart BRO plug-it USB dongle and Globe Visibility prepaid USB dongle:

SIM card just peeking out:

My verdict

Having been a longtime Globe user, I would go for Globe Visibility. The image compression issue is bad, but it’s not a dealbreaker for me, since there are workarounds. But if you require raw access—perhaps you’re into graphics design or web development—then maybe you would want to think twice before going for Visibility, unless you are okay with tweaking your system a bit. Speed-wise, Globe is generally better, with more 3G-enabled cell sites. Smart may have a wider coverage, particularly in the provinces, so you might want to take this into consideration if you’re outside of the metro areas.

Globe Visibility does not have an unlimited postpaid subscription, but the closest is the PhP 1,499 plan, which gives you 100 hours mobile connectivity per month plus unlimited Globe WIZ WiFi access. Perhaps this is worth looking into. If Globe launches an unlimited account, then that would be better.

Apparently, Microsoft has realized that a lot are shying away from Windows Vista due to bad experiences, the steep hardware requirements, or simply because of bad reputation. HLWT and Ars Technica report that comedian Jerry Seinfeld has signed on to endorse Windows Vista in a $300 million ad campaign.

“If a book about failures doesn’t sell, is it a success?” Perhaps not, but Microsoft hopes that a new $300 million ad campaign about the flailing Windows Vista will somehow turn it into a success with the help of comedian Jerry Seinfeld. The campaign will be one of the largest in Microsoft’s history, and is expected to begin on September 4.

In fact, Seinfeld may not be the only celebrity involved in the new Windows Vista campaign. The ever-popular “people close to the situation” have informed the Wall Street Journal that Seinfeld is simply “one of the key celebrity pitchmen” that will appear alongside Bill Gates to discuss Vista’s merits. According to the WSJ’s sources, the company has also considered Will Ferrell and Chris Rock among a multitude of other personalities, although there was no indication as to whether they had also been hired as part of the campaign.

I guess this is similar to Apple’s Get a Mac ads, with Justin Long and John Hodgman. I know Justin and John’s celebrity status is nowhere near that of Jerry Seinfeld’s, but the Get a Mac ad series has gained cult status because of its in-your-face humor. Especially when bashing Windows Vista.

I’ve been a regular Vista user since I acquired my Presario B1256 but on my netbooks, I use Windows XP. Vista is just too power-hungry for those small critters.

Above: laptops and netbooks stacked for size reference. Asus EeePC 900 12G, HP 2133 Mini Note, HP Compaq Presario B1256TU, Compaq Presario V2617TS

Above: laptops and netbooks rounded up for size reference. Clockwise from left: HP Compaq Presario B1256TU, Compaq Presario V2617TS, Asus EeePC 900 12G, HP 2133 Mini Note

Send me more review units, guys!

(These are for my reviews over at koobten.com and myasuseee.com.)

Just when I thought Asus had bagged it for the ultraportable category, here comes the HP Mini Note 2133. Jayvee gives his initial impressions, having had the opportunity to bring home a demo unit. Notebookreview also has a more extensive review. Some specs:

HP 2133 Mini Note PC Specs:
1.19 kg
8.9 inch wide XGA display 1280×768
Close to full size keyboard
3D DriveGuard with accelerometer for parking the hard drive when the computer falls
Webcam
Two battery solutions: 3 cell for ultralightweight config // 6 cell for extended battery life
802.11g WLAN
Bluetooth
Option for Windows Vista Basic, Windows Vista Business or Linux Preinstalled
Scratch resistant screen
Hp DuraKeys

There are three options, and in my opinion, they’re so affordable that I would consider the Mini Note a direct competitor to the Asus EeePC 900. And it’s an HP!

P24,950.00 — BEST DEAL EVER!
Via 1.0GHz Processor
1GB RAM
120GB Hard Drive
Preinstalled with Linux

P29,950.00
Via 1.2GHz Processor
2GB RAM
120GB Hard Drive
Windows Vista Basic

P34,950.00
Via 1.6 GHz Processor
2GB RAM
160GB Hard Drive
Windows Vista Business

In comparison, both Windows and Linux versions of the EeePC 900 retail for about PhP 24,000 in my last price checks.

Gizmodo calls it the rich man’s Eee. I don’t know if I’m going to jump for joy or weep. I just acquired a 12-inch Presario B1200 recently. Damn gadget lust! Oh well, maybe in a few weeks (after kids’ tuitions, car repairs, rent, etc.). Nah.

But then again, I tell myself, the B1200 is my work machine. The Asus EeePC 700 (acquired last December) is my portable machine—for bringing just about anywhere. I doubt I can still use an ultraportable as my main work machine after having getting used to larger screens again.

HP, I’m an avid Compaq user—you know that! Perhaps you can send over a demo unit for me to review one of these days!

So I went ahead and got myself a Compaq Presario B1256TU notebook computer for use as my mobile workstation. The retail package did not include an operating system (that’s why it’s relatively cheaper), and so while paying I was thinking whether to:

• Install Ubuntu Linux as my primary OS,


• Install a bootlegged copy of Windows XP or Vista.


• Purchase an original copy of Windows Vista.

A new copy of Windows XP was out of the question, since in my mind this is already a dated OS. Sure, it’s more reliable than ever, given the seven or so years since its first release. But seven years? That’s old!

Ubuntu, meanwhile, is cool, but sometimes I still find the need to run Windows apps that simply cannot run on Wine. So this could perhaps be a hobby OS. I do run eeeXubuntu on my Asus Eee, though. And so my wife and I decided to go for Vista, so we can have some exposure to some new OS at home.

And so we bought a copy of Windows Vista Home Premium to go along with the laptop. The shop gave us a discount with an OEM package (I wonder if it’s legal to bundle a separate OEM package with a laptop sale, though). I also asked for a copy of the HP-Compaq drivers for the B1256TU, as I also read that while drivers are available from the HP site downloading can take some time.

Our home is now a multi-platform one, with a Mac that runs OS X Tiger, a notebook that dual-boots Windows XP and Ubuntu Feisty (due for upgrade soon), an Asus Eee that runs eeeXubuntu, and this new Presario that now runs Vista.

The Compaq came packaged with 1GB of memory, though, and from what I’ve read 1GB is inadequate for use with Vista. But the first few days I was using the laptop, it was responsive enough. I noticed a significant improvement when I plugged in a 4GB SDHC into the built-in card reader for use with ReadyBoost, which basically uses flash memory as cache. This is faster than having to access virtual memory from the hard drive, whenever physical RAM runs out.

But then I was planning to use this machine for photo manipulation and some video editing. So I replaced one of the 512MB RAM sticks with a 1GB one (not able to find a 2GB stick yet, and because the sales person mistakenly told me that Pentium Dual Core machines only supported up to 2GB RAM). Some improvement. And when I found a 2GB stick cheap enough (PhP 2,000 flat for a Kingston branded one), the laptop now runs on 3GB. Good thing I didn’t go for two 2GB sticks. I read you needed to run the 64-bit version of Vista to fully harness the extra gig. So it’s effectively a 3GB maximum for me!

The eye candy that comes default with Vista Home Premium (which Home Basic does not have) is both functional and aesthetically-pleasing. I’m a fan of OS X’s Expose, and Compiz Fusion’s scale, which make switching windows easy and intuitive. Vista doesn’t have that, but instead has Flip 3D. It’s not as intuitive as Expose, since you don’t get a full view of Windows thumbnails (just the top left edges), but it does its job fine.

SpeedStep Problem on Windows Vista

My only gripe with Vista so far is that it’s not able to adequately make Intel Speedstep work! I was wondering why the laptop got hot at the bottom, and the battery lasted only one hour. The Intel T2370 processor the B1200TU ran with was supposed to have SpeedStep. That meant the processor could run at low clock speeds when it didn’t need power, and could step up the speed (and voltage) when performance processing was needed. This translated to cooler operation and power savings.

And so I installed various CPU monitoring apps like CPU-Z and RightMark CPU Clock, and they all showed that the CPU speed was hovering somewhere between 1.72 and 1.73 GHz—hardly SpeedStep-like adjustments.

So I did some research and found out that a lot of other Windows Vista users had problems with SpeedStep on Intel dual core processors. These users had no problems with SpeedStep on XP or most Linux distros on the same machines, but Vista was simply unable to control SpeedStep. It’s a pity, since Vista does have a built-in way to define the speed ranges you wanted your processor to run on.

This was a really big speedbump in my book. Having the processor cores run at full speed all the time meant fast battery draining and a hot laptop, much like using Celeron-M processors.

With much tweaking, I discovered that on the Compaq B1256TU, the Processor will SpeedStep properly after waking from sleep. So after a cold boot, SpeedStep doesn’t work. After resume from hibernation, SpeedStep doesn’t work. It will only work after the computer has been awoken from standby state.

If you have a Pentium Dual Core machine running on Windows Vista, you can verify this by using CPU-Z or RM Clock. You can monitor the processor frequency adjusting from 0.7 GHz to 1.73 GHz according to CPU load. If you want to be able to customize this (such as by under-volting, or specifying which P-states or frequencies to use), you can use the “performance on demand” setting of RMClock.

Actually, this serves as a warning to people running Vista on their laptops. I know a few people whose laptops have been overheating for no apparent reason. I’ve even read reports that the Presario B1256TU was running at abnormally high temperatures out of the box. Now I know: it’s most likely that SpeedStep is not running properly. So this means the processor is always at full speed, and depending on the load, this likely causes high temperatures.

Does anyone else have similar experiences with Vista?

As for the notebook, I’ll post a more in-depth review soon. I paid in cash, btw, so I got it for less than the published PhP 35,950 price. With Vista Home Premium included, I paid just a bit over PhP 40k.