Default Got My New MDA Vario (TMO) - Now to Upgrade, Have Questions

My K-Jam / MDA Vario is two hours old but damn, she's fine ! I see about the speed thing but it's not that obtrusive. I understand the WM 5 thing about loading the programs from ROM into RAM to execute but I have questions later.Given the other integrated features I like, fine compromise. Now on to the topic at hand:

Bought this unit from importgsm.com for US$589.99 (sweet). It's T-Mobile MDA Vario from Germany so all manuals, CDs, etc are in German. Not too worry, lot's of English PDF manuals, start up docs on the web. Have done my first AS 4.1 sync, no problems. Installed a few programs so far, no problems.

Had to checked for EDGE in Austin, TX so set up an APN connection of internet3.voicestream.com and times connect speeds at 81.6Kbps (10KBps) using www.texan.com/speed.htm. This seems higher than my GPRS connect specs I had recorded on my XDA II at 45Kbps - 52Kbps.

Questions:
A Qtek ROM/Radio was loaded on this unit even though it's TMO. ImportGSM customer service says it's a better ROM at the moment for Wizard units that they stock. The i-mates are hard to come by he said.
1) How do I check that the speed slow down items, I've read about (virus scanner, etc) are installed and/or running? Then, naturally, how to eliminate them.
2) Here's my ROM/Radio specs for Qtek:
ROM: 1.1.7.5 dated 9/22/05
Radio: 1.1.10.0
Protocol: 4.0.13.16
ExtROM: 1.1.7.105

Given that, what's the XDA communities recommedation on upgrading ROM/Radio? Is this an "old" ROM/Radio"? Should I wait longer to upgrade? Should I go with i-mate's latest, do a Qtek upgrade, use TMO ... ??? Thoughts gentlemen?
I'm comfortable with EXE upgrades but not RAR upgrades but could, in a pinch, do it.

Craig
AT&T Fuze (HTC Touch Pro)

TAEL ROM Revision:
OS version: 5.2.23683 (23683.5.3.8)
Manila version: 2.5.20161332.0 CFC
ROM version: 5.23683 Sense Edition WWE
ROM date: 08/30/10
Radio version: 1.14.25.35
Protocol version: 52.64c.25.35u