Last month we recommended the Steam Deck as a Christmas present. However just as we did, Steam announced and released a revision to this games console. So not only are Steam selling the original LCD Steam Deck at a reduced price. Steam are now also selling an OLED Steam Deck, at the same price as the original LCD Steam Deck.
While the internal hardware of the new OLED Steam Deck, is basically the same as the original LCD Steam Deck. The OLED Steam Deck’s internals have been redesigned to make it easier to repair or upgrade. So the main advantage to the new Steam Deck is its OLED screen.
As the OLED screen uses less power, and the new Steam Deck has a slightly bigger battery. You should be able to get between 3 to 12 hours of game time. While you may not think that this is a major improvement. Compared to the LCD Steam Deck which only gets 2-8 hours, the OLED Steam Deck is a major improvement.
Its also worth taking into account that the screen is also slightly larger at 7.4 inches compared to the 7 inches of the original. Which while once again not a major change. When you include the OLED screens improved response times, its brightness, and colour accuracy. If you are looking to buy a Deck for Christmas, the OLED model is definitely the one to choose.
SteamOS 3.5 update
However, if like us you already have the original Steam Deck, Steam also released SteamOS 3.5. SteamOS 3.5 not only includes a number of bug fixes, it has improved the performance of our Steam Deck. More importantly, we also now have a setting that allows us to adjust the display colours of the LCD. So while this setting won’t give you the benefits of an OLED screen. We found that by adjusting the LCD’s colours, we greatly improved the general image quality of our Steam Deck.
Windows 10 might get a stay of execution.
While Microsoft will officially stop supporting Windows 10 in October 2025. There are rumours swirling around the internet, that Microsoft might extend Windows 10 support beyond that time period. The reason for these rumours relate to Microsoft’s plan to add Windows 11’s tools to Windows 10. Most significantly its new AI tool, called Copilot.
Unfortunately we suspect that extended support for Windows 10 beyond 2025, will be unlikely. Instead as AI tools are seen as the next “thing”, Microsoft are simply adding features like Copilot to Windows 10, in order to avoid losing users to other operating systems. So we expect to see Windows 12 being released in the next 18 months. With Windows 10 being dropped, so that Microsoft does not have to support three versions of Windows.
Postings to the website and YouTube for December
As it’s Christmas time, we suspect that many of you will be receiving some sort of earbud. So this month we will be posting a number of videos relating to both Apple AirPods and Google Pixel Buds. Which means that in the first week expect to see a number of “how to videos”, on factory resetting both AirPods and Pixel Buds.
The reason we are starting the month looking at performing factory resets is because both models of ear buds can be tracked. While the intension is for you to be able to find your earbuds should you lose them. This feature can be used for more nefarious acts. So its a good idea to know how to fully de-register your earbud from your account, and perform a factory reset in order to wipe any settings or data, the buds may be storing.
Then in the second week of the month, we will release the next video in our Synology NAS series. As we previously looked at how to mount network shares in Windows 11. For this video we will be taking a look at the numerous ways you can mount network shares in macOS. Which will include a number of useful tips for Macintosh users. Including how you get macOS to auto mount network shares at sign-in.
For the rest of the month, we will periodically be releasing new videos. So expect to see two videos a week during the Christmas holidays. For these videos we will be focusing on how you pair either your Apple AirPods or Pixel Buds to various devices. Something we thought would be useful to anyone new to having earbuds, or who was not technologically minded.
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