So, in case you were under any illusions that #Microsoft might not force countless millions of people to buy new PCs and move to #Windows 11, they blogged that this is non-negotiable. Windows 10 will lose support October 2025, unless you pay $30 for an extra year, then it will be the end. Period. Prepare to move to #Linux. And if you must buy, you might as well get an #Apple #Mac. #tech #capitalism www.theverge.com/2024/12/4…

I’m not sure I understand the purpose of this… device? #Apple’s Touch Bar which replaced the F-keys during the globally reviled “Butterfly Keyboard” era was half-baked and left to wither in a ditch and we already have a slew of #mactopads like the Streamdeck that do the same thing, but better because the keys are sized for human fingers and not to fit into a slim strip on a laptop. Then it retails at nearly $200. Hard pass. #kickstarter #hardware 9to5mac.com/2024/12/0…

Sadly it seems that #Apple is going to be delaying the rollout of their redesign of the already fantastic Apple Mail. While the redesign is in the current beta of #iOS 18.2, it’s not in the #macOS or #iPadOS betas. The updates bring a more Messages-like layout, contact photos, automatic inbox organization, AI enhancements for supported systems, mail training, and a digest view. Looks like they’re taking the time to refine things before release in the next point release. 9to5mac.com/2024/11/2…

Now, THIS is very cool! I’ve been quite excited about the rise of so-called cyberdecks in the last few years, and this looks like one of the coolest ones I’ve ever seen. Powered by the nicely capable Raspberry Pi 5, the Pilet 5 (5" with integrated controls) and Pilet 7 (7" with a unique modular design) are full-on #handheld computers with a lovely #retro esthetic. The #Kickstarter campaign starts soon, as well. #tech #raspberrypi #rpi5 #cyberdeck liliputing.com/raspberry…

#GPD is about to roll out their new Pocket 4 micro laptop and it’s gotten a significant upgrade. It now features an #AMD #Ryzen AI 9 HX370 CPU with a #Radeon 890M iGPU and an 8.8" 2560x1600 144Hz display. It has 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 and a swappable port module on the back, as well. It’s more for admins than for gaming but it’s rather versatile and can even run #linux. Very slick little devices! #tech youtu.be/FWo4xElfK…

Well, I kind of expect dumb from Redmond’s very own Factory of Dull, #Microsoft, but this is on another level. I still have no idea why anyone tolerates #Windows11, what with all the shady crap being slotted into the successor to the “Last Windows”, #Windows10. They’ve paused 24H2 because some of Ubisoft’s #VideoGames crash after the update is applied. Wow. Just run Windows 10, peeps. #tech www.theverge.com/2024/11/2…

Dave’s Garage on #YouTube does a nice breakdown of performance benchmarks comparing the new M4 Pro Mini to the M2 Ultra Mac Pro and, for shits & giggles, a Threadripper 7995WX. My takeaway: If you’re an everyday, average user, get the M4 Mini base model and an external Samsung T7 2TB SSD. #tech #apple #M4MacMini #benchmarking www.youtube.com/watch

CORRECTION: I originally stated the comparison included the M2 Ultra Mini, a system that does not exist, and have corrected it to M4 Ultra Mac Pro.

Tyler Fisher (no relation) has announced Sill, an open source web-based Nuzzle-like tool that aggregates popular links from your social media sources, currently Mastodon and Bluesky. I can’t say I know anything about Nuzzle, though I recall hearing it was popular at some point :) It seems to have some neat features. #4nerds #socialmedia #internet #utilities sixcolors.com/link/2024…

Satechi dropped some details on their upcoming new hub stand for the redesigned M4 Mac Mini, sans a price, though the model designed for the older models sold for $100. From what we can tell, it has three USB-A ports and an SD card slot on the front and it can take up to a 2280 4TB NVMe SSD drive, but is limited to 10Gb/s speeds, so it’s probably best for wireless peripherals and TimeMachine backups. #tech #Apple #hardware satechi.net/landing/n…

I would have loved having one of these back in my D&D, GURPS, Aftermath #TTRPG days, but it won’t come cheap. Starting at $100 for the plastic model and going up from there, the Timestop D-20 will roll up to 12 D4 through D20 and has graphics for crits, and can even roll up to a D100. Oh yeah, it even tells time! #gaming #nerdculture #gadgets #tech #lofi #watches gizmodo.com/this-d-20…