Mobile Broadband Actual Speed

The advertised download speeds of M1 and SingTel are 2Mbps and 1Mbps respectively. On the other hand, the advertised upload speeds of M1 and SingTel are 0.512Mbps and 0.384Mbps respectively.

But as shown at the same location, the actual download speeds of M1 and SingTel are 0.66Mbps and 0.52Mbps respectively. Also, the actual upload speeds of M1 and SingTel are 0.32Mbps and 0.34Mbps respectively. There is no benefit in paying more for the higher advertised speed.

Budget Wireless G Router

There is no point in getting a wireless N router if you don't need to transfer huge files between computers. Also, you won't get faster internet access with a wireless N router than a wireless G router .

I tested 2 wireless G routers - Belkin F5D7234ak4 ver 1001ak and D-Link DIR-300 ver 1.04. Both routers cost $39 with lifetime warranty.

I recommend the Belkin F5D7234ak4 because D-Link DIR-300 failed the stealth tests with ports 0 & 672 being closed not stealth whereas Belkin F5D7234ak4 passed all tests. It has all the important features and good to have features as well Wi-Fi b/g certified with WPA2.

Patch Tuesday June 2009

Microsoft has released the following security updates for Windows XP:

Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 6 for Windows XP (KB969897)

Security Update for Windows XP (KB961501)

Security Update for Windows XP (KB968537)

Security Update for Windows XP (KB970238)

Update Rollup for ActiveX Killbits for Windows XP (KB969898)

Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - June 2009 (KB890830)

Installing 4 OS on Budget Test PC

The procedures are as follows:

1. Install Windows Vista in a partition with minimum free disk space of 15.4GB
   
2. Apply Windows Vista SP1
3. Apply Windows Vista SP2
4. Install Windows 7 RC as dual boot in a different partition
   
5. Configure BIOS to enable Secure Virtual Machine Mode
   
6. Install Windows Virtual PC Beta in Windows 7 RC
   
7. Install Windows XP Mode Beta in Windows 7 RC
   
8. Install Asus Express Gate in Windows Vista SP2
   

Building One Budget Test PC with 4 OS

I've decided to build a budget test PC running 4 operating systems - Linux, Windows Vista SP2, Windows 7 RC and Windows XP Professional SP3. If you buy the right Asus motherboard, you can get Linux from Splashtop (instant-on computing). If you install Windows 7 RC, you can get Windows XP Professional SP3 from Windows XP Mode Beta. The main components are as follows:

1. Asus M2N68-VM HDMI ($105) with support for Asus Express Gate (Splashtop) and hardware virtualization in BIOS
   
2. AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 5200+ Processor 2.7GHz with support for virtualization ($93)
   

You can get any 1GB memory, hard disk and internal DVD writer. The cost will be much higher if you choose Intel instead of AMD processor.

Prepaid Mobile Broadband

In Singapore, M1 and StarHub have already launched their prepaid mobile broadband whereas SingTel has yet to do so.

StarHub's MaxMobile Prepaid offering is more flexible than M1. If you've a mobile broadband modem, you can get the SIM card for $12. If not, you can pay $99 for Huawei E1550 2Mbps USB stick modem or $149 for Huawei E1750 7.2Mbps USB stick modem. User can choose the download speed between 2Mbps or 7.2Mbps and activate their plan for 1 hour, 1 day, 3 days or 5 consecutive days. The prepaid SIM card can be topped anytime and the balance is valid for 6 months. A fair usage policy of 2GB (daily) is being set for all data plans. Upon reaching the limit, a SMS alert will be sent to your MaxMobile Prepaid number. I've tested the 2Mbps service with Huawei E220 modem and it works well. The setting for APN is shppd.

M1 Prepaid Broadband costs $18 for 3 consecutive days with download speed of up to 7.2Mbps. If you don't have a mobile broadband modem, you can buy a prepaid broadband kit (SIM card + USB stick) at $128. You need to top-up within 90 days. The setting for APN is prepaidbb.

Australian PC Authority July 2009

Features

1. Best Broadband Deals
2. HDTV Buyer's Guide