Laptops are an investment that many people make in their lifetimes, often many times over the years. If your laptop is getting on in years, you might be thinking about a replacement – what you might not realise is that a laptop that is treated right can function as new for longer than you think. It’s all about maintenance and keeping your laptop running well; a laptop, like any piece of equipment, needs to be properly cared for throughout its lifespan to increase its longevity.
Laptops can’t maintain themselves – you’ll need to remember to do routine maintenance and understand what your laptop needs to get the most out of it. It is best to start with good laptop habits as soon as you buy it, but you can still benefit even if you’re working with an older machine. Some of the things you need to do will be fairly self-explanatory, but others you might never have thought of – simple techniques with incredible outcomes for your laptop’s lifespan.
Keep It Cool
A hot laptop is an unhappy laptop – heat is a major danger for any computer, so you should ensure that your machine is as cool as possible at all times. This means keeping it well away from heat sources like fireplaces or radiators and moving it out of direct sunlight (especially in the summer). Your laptop may overheat at times, which can have multiple causes – you’ll need to do some troubleshooting to determine why your computer is heating up. Figure out the reasons since they may point at more serious problems with your device. Then learn the ways how to cool down a Mac and try what suits you the most.
Clean It Regularly
Like any item that is used daily, laptops need to be cleaned regularly to keep them running well. Dust, dirt and debris can build up in ports, vents and in the keyboard – all of this can cause issues for your laptop if left unchecked. There are a few things you need to clean a laptop correctly, and you should always use cleaning products that are suitable for the surface or area you’re cleaning. Do your homework to understand the correct and safest ways to clean the different parts of your laptop. Some of the cleaning supplies you should invest in include:
- Compressed air for removing dust and debris from hard-to-reach areas
- Microfibre cloth
- Screen cleaner
Treat It Properly
Laptops are hardier than you might think, but they still need to be handled with care if you want to prolong their lifespan. With that in mind, you should ensure you treat your laptop like the valuable asset it is. Some good practices you should follow include:
- Keeping it out of the reach of pets or small children
- Keeping it far away from food or drinks
- Washing your hands before using it
- Avoid covering it with anything heavy or fabric based when in use
- Charging it only when necessary
Run Anti-Virus Software Regularly
Viruses can have serious implications for your laptop’s healthy, not to mention the dangers associated with viruses that can harvest data or sensitive information. You should have a quality anti-virus scanner that runs automatically every day; most laptops will come with one built-in made by the laptop’s manufacturer. It is also a good idea to know how to avoid viruses in the first place, including:
- Being wary of emails from senders you don’t know
- Not clicking on links found in suspect emails
- Not downloading apps, programs or software from questionable sources
- Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication
Store Your Files On The Cloud
A laptop that is overloaded with stored files will quickly stop running as efficiently. Over time, this can lead to issues like overheating, blue screens and slower processing times – hardly ideal for the tech you use daily. An excellent way to clear out space on your laptop is to stop storing files on its internal storage.
Storing things on the cloud can help you free up plenty of space and give your computer a break from overcrowding. This is particularly crucial if you have a lot of sizeable files like high-quality photographs. You may need to pay for cloud storage, depending on the amount of storage you need, but it will be well worth the investment.
Final Thoughts
Keeping your laptop running smoothly is crucial to get the most out of it – it is also vital for helping it last longer. You should get into good computer maintenance habits as soon as possible; the more you repeat the maintenance, the more ingrained it will be. Laptops don’t come cheap, and there’s no excuse for allowing them to degrade earlier than they need to. A lot of people believe that it takes a lot of technical know-how to properly maintain a laptop, but this actually isn’t true. Most of the tips and techniques above are simple and easy for even the biggest technophobe to manage.
