DiGi Discover Day Package Is A Good Deal

I didn’t really take a close look at this package when it was first launched some time ago, but now that DiGi is advertising it again in the newspapers, I took a second, closer look.  And I liked what I discovered.  This is essentially a DiGi broadband package that works at full speed from 7am to 7pm daily, with a monthly usage quota of 3GB.  Between the hours of 701pm and 659am, the speed will be throttled to 128kbps and peer-to-peer software completely blocked from working (which implies that from 7am-7pm they will work).  The expected, or as DiGi calls it – “likely average speeds” from 7am-7pm is 700kbps down, and 200kbps up.

I previously thought that the user will be denied any access to the network outside the 7am-7pm window, but this is not the case, as you can see below.  And a usage quota of 3GB is not easy to exhaust, if you’re not a downloader of movies and TV series off the net.

And since you can only use it between 7am-7pm, ie. during “working hours”, this leaves your non-working hours free to spend with your loved ones, and you need to thank DiGi for that.  But in the event that you still need to access the net, it will still work, except at a slower speed, and for reading/replying emails, reading RSS feeds, surfing a couple of websites, etc, it is more than adequate.  After all, for RM 38 monthly, what more can you expect?

How do you justify this expenditure?  It averages out to be RM 1.27 daily, assuming 30 days to the month.  Slightly more expensive than a daily newspaper.  And you derive a lot more enjoyment, and gain a lot more information out of this.  Trust me on this  ;-)

The best part about DiGi’s mobile internet plans, whether you subscribe to the 3G or broadband service?  No extra charges when you hit the monthly usage quota.  None whatsoever.  Unlike Maxis, which will continue charging you even if you are on a plan, up until the RM 250 monthly limit, which I’ve been told is an MCMC “directive”.

Now, if only DiGi would offer this as an add-on to their postpaid voice customers, so that I can have a voice package + RM 38 Discover Day package all in one SIM card and number!  How about it, DiGi?

MacBook Air 2010

Here are some pictures in case you’re still not sick of seeing them.  It’s of my new MacBook Air, the 11.6 inch version which I got yesterday evening.  I’ve only been using it for a couple of hours, and so far, the positives greatly outweigh the drawbacks.  I’ve actually been looking for a capable 11 incher for many months now, having tried everything from an 8 incher to a 15.6 inch these few years, and they have fallen short one way or another – they’re either lame in performance or simply to heavy to carry around.I don’t intend to write a review, just wanted to share some thoughts with people interested in the device.
Pros:

1. small and light.  Easy to carry.  Very slim.
2. fast.  Even with an “older” processor, running Snow Leopard is a very pleasant experience.  I guess the fast SSD (solid state drive) helps.
3. virtually no heat at all.
4. no fan noise.  I haven’t heard any fan starting up since I’ve started using the notebook.
5. huge trackpad.  Multi touch, supports multi-finger gestures.  Entire touchpad area clickable, there’s no need to locate right and left mouse buttons.
6. beautiful screen – vibrant, lively colours.  Apple certainly know how to manufacture (touch or otherwise) screens, as evidenced in the iPad and iPhone 4.
7. chiclet keyboard is da bomb.  ’nuff said.  Easily the best chiclet keyboard I’ve used on any notebook, by far.  The tactile feel is unbelievable – the keyboard keys don’t feel like they’re made out of cheap hard plastic.  The key travel is sufficient to let the brain know that the finger has registered a press.  I love it.
8. screen – not the lame netbook-ish resolution of 1024 x 600.  This one is 1366 x 768 on an 11.6 inch screen – you can see lots more of a webpage.
9. battery life so far is a surprise on such a small and slim device.  Obviously it will not be as good as the iPad, but it does much more than the iPad.  If Apple releases a version of the MacBook Air (MBA) with a built in 3G modem and 8 hour realistic battery life, then I’ve found the perfect iPad killer, and it’s another Apple product.  So, I think this will be very unlikely  :P
10. wrist rest area below the keyboard is very comfortable.  It allows the entire palm to rest on the notebook instead of your wrist dangling in the air with some other notebooks.  And this, on an 11.6 inch device!
11. build quality, is, as usual for an Apple device, excellent.  It doesn’t feel made in China.  Lots of thought has obviously gone into designing this device.
12. the resolution of the camera is quite good, better than what I’ve been accustomed to on other notebooks.  And they managed to do it on such a slim area of the screen.

Cons:

1. not enough USB ports.  The one on the left side of the device, next to the MagSafe power port, can be blocked for wider devices with the power plugged in.  Not so great design here!  Plus, there is only two USB ports, a bit stingy I think, but if more were to be added, it would subtract from the overall aesthetics of the device – one can’t win this argument, whichever way you look at it.
2. no SD card reader.  No biggie really, one can always use an SD card reader.
3. because it’s made out of aluminium, it feels and looks “easily” damaged by scratches, etc.  This is a phobia every MacBook Air owner has, I think.  Beautiful things tend to be fragile in life, and just like it applies to beautiful women, so it applies as well to the MacBook Air.  The solution would be to apply some sort of body protector on it, at more cost!

That’s really all I can think of for now, maybe more later.  In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments, do your thing, as usual, in the comments.

Here’s a quick look at the MiLi PowerSpring 4 external battery pack for the iPhone 4.  I’m too lazy to write a wordy review, so I guess a video one will have to do.  Please post any questions you have in the comments!

Contract Free Maxis iPhone 4 Available

Well, at least that’s how I read it.  Maxis has amended the rates webpage again, for their postpaid customers.  When it was first launched, I did not see mention of iData 1 costing RM 30 for 250MB of data monthly.  It is now back, along with iData 2 and 3 which were there previously.  And there is no contract for these packages, which means that you can sign up for them, then cancel the next month if you so wish.

         I don’t see mention of advance prepayments for the iData plans, so technically a user doesn’t have anything to lose if he/she signs up one month, and cancels it the next.

   

         Also, regular reader and occasional contributor, Jack Lee has told me that you can also walk into an Apple reseller and buy the iPhone 4 on a prepaid basis, ie. with a Hotlink SIM pack costing RM 8.80 with RM 5 pre-loaded credit.  Only problem is, they don’t have stocks at the moment.

Please click the image to have a better view