Technology Thailand
Where Thais and technology clash
by Jesada Chandraprasert, Thailand
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A week with the Acer Aspire One 3G
Dec 19, 2008 01:17After blogging about True Move's new promo for the Acer Aspire One 3G, I just couldn't help myself. I had planned on making a switch to True Move for their more favorable data rates but their lack of EDGE held me back. However, they've recently upgraded their network in my area so EDGE is finally available. I am currently using AIS's 3GSM service and find the speed quite satisfying. However, after going over where I am most of the day, I realized that I'm either at a)home or b)the office for most of the day, giving me access to high speed Internet. Other places like malls and cafes often have a True Wi-Fi hotspot nearby. Well, the switch started to make sense even more. Then they throw in this deal with Acer and I was sold.
The Package
True Move and Acer are offering free EDGE/GPRS and Wi-Fi access to anyone who purchases an Acer Aspire One 3G from an authorised dealer. One of the terms stated on their website is that the purchase must be made through the consumer financial service company AEON and payment would be spread over 18 months at 0% interest. A good plan to sell Acers, get more people on the True Move network and get more people to apply for an AEON account opening up more doors for future hire purchases. I was able to find more than one shop willing to forgo the financing requirement and still offer a voucher for the free Internet access to anyone who paid through any other means.
The Aspire One 3G is valued at just over 24,000 baht (about US$695). The cost of the package is about 22,000 baht plus an "entry fee" of 2,000 baht bringing the total to par.
The cost of an unlimited Wi-Fi and EDGE/GPRS plan from True Move is normally about 450 baht. At 18 months, this works out to 8,100 baht if you were to subscribe to this service alone. So in reality, you're saving 8,100 baht and getting an Aspire One 3G on hire purchase at 0% interest.
For me the savings adds up even more now that I do not have to pay upwards of 2,000 baht in data + minutes + extras for my main number. I've now reworked my plan so that I have to only spend about 300 baht. I'm saving about 500 baht in total each month.
In the box
The packaging is as minimal as the computer itself. A box a tad bigger than a large shoebox holds all the goodies in its belly. My package contained the Acer Aspire One, a 6-cell battery, leather case, power brick, supplement driver cd for the 3G modem, Kaspersky AntiVirus with one-year subscription and documentation.
The Machine
I chose the black because all the other colors don't yell out macho like black does. As you can see in the picture below, this thing is a fingerprint magnet.
Ample sized keyboard and a suitable screen. The Webcam is just above the screen.
Unfortunately, the 3G module is for the 2100MHz band. The good news is that this is the top-of-the-line model. It has the same basic configuration as the other models with 1GB of RAM, a 120GB HDD and a 6-cell battery. I have been able to get 4-6 hours run time with 3G or Wi-Fi on (not both). Physically it looks the same as any other Aspire One model save for the little circular bump on the bottom shell to accomodate the harddisk. The SIM card slot is located behind the battery.
The software
With Windows XP Home preinstalled with minimal crapware, its ready to go out of the box. It also comes with a trial edition of Office 2007. It was interesting that mine came with McAfee Antivirus preinstalled as well. The 3G modem shares the same physical switch as the Wi-Fi, left slide for 3G, right slide for Wi-Fi. The 3G modem is controlled by Acer's own 3G Connection Manager application. It has facilities for sending and receiving text messages as well but it does not do voice calls.
The opinion
Vs my UMPCs
I found the performance and battery life to be very impressive coming from the world of UMPCs, more specifically the OQO and Asus R2H.
Vs MacBook
Performance and features are geared towards different usage situations. MacBooks are more multimedia and "full blown" user types. The Aspire One is definitely geared towards the road warrior who does not need to be doing any photo or video editing. It holds its own with most software (iTunes didn't stutter on playback). Office documents didn't make it sweat even a bit.
The deal maker features
I am now carrying this machine everywhere I go. I used to pack my OQO 01+ for urgent work in my geek bag and leave my MacBook in my car incase I need something more powerful to work with. However, since putting my hands on the Aspire One 3G, these two previusly mentioned devices have not left home. Whats more important is that I've never had to bring along the charger for the Aspire One. I just slide it into its leather case and that's it. It's small and light enought to carry around like a book.
More importantly is the ability to get connected over Wi-Fi or over EDGE when needed. What bugged me most about mobile computing (when a PDA just won't suffice) is that by mating your computer to your cellphone, you risk draining the batteries on both devices, making even an emergency call to say "I can't get online" nearly impossible. With a built in modem, I can save the phone battery for the phone and not have to worry about appearing to "fall off the face of the earth" when both batteries go dead.
I think that True Move are learning in their dealings with Apple in getting the iPhone 3G in their stall. They've come up with a hardware + service package that complement each other in a "pay only once" type deal, which even goes a step beyond what Apple has achieved with the iPhone and its expensive cost of ownership.
Now if they can put a rush on their 3G plans, then that would surely give the big 2 some real competition for the #1 spot in Thailand.
- Talkback
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Hi K. Jesadac - well done one your deal. I was looking to change to True Move when I get back to Bangkok because of their data plan as well. I was recently zapped by a five digit phone bill by DTAC for GPRS usage- oh yes the iphone got me and I now know it gets on GPRS all the time even in the background. So have to turn that off quick.
It's funny to read this blog (firstly cannot get on this site from our place in Chiang Mai for the last 2 weeks) but mostly because I was just thinking that TRUE with their full communications portfolio, should be market leader, but on mobile phone provider, they are still behind the big 2. Is it image/perception that they are not as good - more of a duck? Or are they really that bad? Okay this is not going into how much debt the company has and things like that.
We shall see, meanwhile enjoy your new toy.
Dec 19, 2008 04:58
khunlouis,
True Move is behind mostly because of its call quality and area coverage. In terms of call-making, I think people still regard True Move as somewhat like PCT because the quality is only acceptable within the city and not as good when going out of town.
Sure, we all know True is no.1 in fixed-line internet in terms of quality and no.1 in availability of wi-fi hotspots but that's not quite the strong point of True Move, but rather True Internet. True Move is trying to establish a stronger position behind supports from all its co-brands: Internet, Visions, Entertainment etc. but as long as the call can't be relied upon, people in other parts of the country will not switch because they actually are the mass users of phones, not internet browsers like us who happen to already get used to surfing using phones or mobile devices.
PS If people go more toward getting online, I think those IVR calls (1900 thing) shouldn't be as popular.
Dec 19, 2008 12:41
stdennis2 - after reading your comment, made me realise another thing is that True's only nationwide brand is True Vision - satellite dish version. As you mentioned the mobile phone coverage perception (though may be reality) is still not as reliable as the other 2 companies. But even fixed line internet or Wifi, all those are to my knowledge in cities and mostly focused in Bangkok - I am sure they have some good coverage in cities like Chiang Mai and Phuket.
My family is 26kms away from Chiang Mai and we are using TT&T as there are not True internet coverage here. So I guess that kind of answers the question why. If you are city dweller, I guess it's a good brand to have. Not sure about a road warrior though. Hmmm...PCT...forgot about those :)
Dec 19, 2008 17:21
About Jesada Chandraprasert
A firm believer that he/she who dies with the most toys wins.
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