Laptops are one of those things that most people can’t live without these days. It’s not only handy for keeping up with personal finances, and working remotely, but it’s also important for personal use like photo storage and streaming movies.
However, a laptop is no small purchase. These days, it’s hard to find a decent one for under $1000. So, It’s in your best interest to get the longest lifespan as possible out of your laptop if you hope to avoid buyers regret. To help you, here are some of the best ways to make your laptop’s life last as long as possible.
Keep it Cool
Overheating is one of the biggest causes for laptops burning out prematurely. So, make sure that you stay aware of how hot your laptop is getting. Keep it away from heaters, or other heat sources, and of course, out of the sun.
During the warmer months, you want to make sure that your air conditioning is in working order or at the very least you use your laptop in one of the cooler parts of your home. Lastly, make sure that it’s well ventilated on whatever surface you put it on. Putting it on a soft surface like a couch comma or even your legs can prevent ventilating properly and lead it to overheating.
Clean it
Your laptop will start to generate all sorts of grime and dust over the years. It’s important that you keep it clean in order for it to continue working properly. For example, if too much debris is built up within the keyboard, after a while your keys will have trouble working.
The same goes for the trackpad. Our fingers are full of dirt and oil, and make sure that you keep your trackpad clean or it could lose its sensibility. Perhaps most importantly is being aware of the cleaning products that you use which should be made specifically for laptops. Otherwise, use a small amount of water and a microfiber cloth. Harsh products could ruin your computer and cause it to be unresponsive.
Don’t Overcharge
Many people overcharge their computers thinking that they’re taking precautions. However, keeping your computer battery over 80% for long periods of time will ultimately fry your battery. Computer experts recommend never letting your battery get below 20% either. Letting it get too low can be hard on your battery when you’re trying to charge it again. Remember, laptop batteries degrade eventually over time— regardless of whether you practice safe charging.
Good habits are not, eventually you may have to get your battery replaced. This is an extra expense you should plan for several years after making your laptop purchase.
Use a Case
Stuffing your laptop haphazardly into your purse or backpack is asking for trouble. Make sure that you use a proper case when taking your laptop to and from places. Even the slightest bump can cause significant damage, so you want to make sure that it’s in a padded case to help protect it. Lastly, make sure that it doesn’t fall. A shattered screen will be the end of your laptop ‘s life, so, be as careful as possible.
