Tim Brookes

Brisbane

Freelance Writer at How-To Geek

Freelance Writer at Zapier

I write words on the internet for @howtogeek and @Zapier. Past @MUO_official. He/Him.

Articles

The Switch 2 Makes Your Old Games Run Better Even Without Updates

1 day ago | howtogeek.com | Tim Brookes

Do you love the Nintendo Switch? Do you have a rich library of games, and wish you could play them at smoother frame rates with visual upgrades? Do you have $450? Nintendo has a solution for you! The Switch 2 Plays Most Original Switch Games Backward compatibility was arguably one of the biggest wants from fans of the original Switch, and Nintendo answered the call.
The Most important Nintendo Switch 2 Setting You Should Change Right Away

1 day ago | howtogeek.com | Tim Brookes

Did you pick up a Switch 2 recently, or are thinking of getting one in the next few weeks? One of the best things about Nintendo’s new console is the ability to play games anywhere thanks to its portability. Unfortunately, portability doesn’t mean much without battery life and the Switch 2 already struggles out of the gate in this department. Here’s how to give your Switch 2 a fighting chance at keeping the lights on for years to come.
How to Transfer Your Nintendo Switch Data to the Switch 2

1 day ago | howtogeek.com | Tim Brookes

The Switch 2 is the perfect console for anyone who fell in love with Nintendo’s original hybrid. It’s slightly bigger, far more powerful, and backward compatible with the vast majority of Nintendo Switch titles. If you decide to jump ship, you can easily transfer data from your old console to your new one. Here’s how it works, what gets transferred, and what happens to the old console. Which Data Is Transferred?
Nintendo Switch 2 First Impressions: The Biggest Things I've Noticed So Far

2 days ago | howtogeek.com | Tim Brookes

The Switch 2 is finally here and after playing with it for a few hours, Nintendo’s follow-up hybrid has already left an impression on me. We have a full review in the works, but let’s dive into the big things that jump out almost immediately. 1 Heavier and Larger, With a Premium Feel From the second I opened the box and picked up the right Joy-Con, it was clear that “bigger and heavier” was going to be a running theme.
10 Essential Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Games

2 days ago | howtogeek.com | Tim Brookes

The Nintendo Switch 2 is here along with a surprisingly stacked line-up of launch games. Though many are available on other platforms, there are a few exclusives that stand out and a few special editions that are unique to the Switch 2 to boot. Though not everyone has the same taste in games, we expect there will be at least something on this list that you’ll walk home with (or download later) if you’re picking up a Switch 2 on launch.
Should You Buy a Switch 2? Here’s How to Decide

2 days ago | howtogeek.com | Tim Brookes

Nintendo’s Switch 2 is finally here, and it’s time to put your money where your mouth is. Whether you put down a refundable preorder “just in case” or you’re determined to hunt down a unit during the launch window, it’s make-your-mind-up time. While buying an original Switch at launch was a bit of a gamble given Nintendo’s missteps with the Wii U, the Switch 2 has a bit more momentum behind it. Even so, there are some pros and cons that prospective buyers should be aware of.
What I Learned Turning a Mac Mini Into a Media Center

4 days ago | howtogeek.com | Tim Brookes

The Mac mini is Apple’s most affordable and smallest computer. It’s versatile and suits a range of uses from being a modest desktop workhorse to a media server, smart home hub, or even a media center front-end. I took a chance on a used Mac mini for this very purpose and in the process discovered a few things I wish I’d have known before going into the project. Here’s how to decide if the Mac mini is perfect for your living room TV.
6 Ways macOS Beats Windows

6 days ago | howtogeek.com | Tim Brookes

macOS isn’t the be-all and end-all of desktop operating systems, but there’s a reason I’ve settled on a Mac as a daily driver. I’ve used and continue to use Windows and Linux on a regular basis, but I always turn to macOS when it’s time to knuckle down and get work done. So here’s why macOS beats Windows for me, someone who still routinely complains about all the things that Apple should be doing better.
7 Smart Home Devices I'll Buy When I Have the Money

1 week ago | howtogeek.com | Tim Brookes

Building the perfect smart home isn’t cheap. It’s a process you want to get right first-time, since sinking a lot of money into an imperfect solution will require even more expense to put right later. The first few years I’ve spent in my current house have been spent on DIY, acquiring furniture, and landscaping. Now it’s time to start thinking seriously about a smart home, so here’s how I’ll be blowing the budget (eventually).
How I Turned This Cheap Mac Mini Into My Dream Media Center Front-End

1 week ago | howtogeek.com | Tim Brookes

The Mac mini is one of the best small computers you can buy thanks to its small yet mighty footprint and value for money. Things get even better if you can score yourself a deal on the second-hand market, which is where I found mine. I have all sorts of grand plans for my Mac mini, but the first thing I was keen to discover was how this thing functions as a media center front-end. Why the Mac Mini?