Key Points

Windows 10 Extended Support

• Windows 10 support was supposed to end on October 14, 2025.
• Microsoft announced the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10.
• ESU provides critical security updates for up to 3 years beyond the end of support.
• Costs: $61 per device for businesses, escalating each year; $30 for consumers for one year.
• Focuses solely on security patches, not on new features or non-security fixes.
• Microsoft also extended support for Office 365 on Windows 10 until 2028 under ESU.
• Consumers can potentially use the ESU option for the first time on desktop computers.

Intel's Upcoming GPU

• Rumors about Intel’s ARC B770 GPU in the Battle Mage lineup.
• Features: G31 die, 32 XE cores, 256-bit memory bus, up to 24GB of GDDR6 VRAM.
• Based on TSMC's 5nm process, expected to compete with Nvidia's RTX 4070 and AMD's RX970.
• Could offer good performance for budget gamers.
• Development still in progress, with a potential release a year away or more.

Nintendo's Controversial Policies

• Switch 2's End User License Agreement (EULA) allows remote console disabling for mods or unauthorized software.
• Emphasizes transition from ownership to licensing, affecting gaming freedom.
• This action may brick consoles both online and offline.
• European consumer rights prevent enforcement in some regions, unlike elsewhere.
• Policies stir debate: proponents argue protection against piracy; critics worry about fan alienation and modding suppression.

General Advice

• Readers are discouraged from supporting companies perceived to mistreat consumers.
• Personal reflections on enduring computer systems and consoles end on a nostalgic note, encouraging critical consumer choices.