Laptop Care: 10 Simple Steps to Help Your Laptop Last Longer

Summary: Learning the best practices of laptop care will help them run smoothly and last longer. Some daily actions can harm your laptop and shorten its lifespan.

Laptops offer incredible work mobility. However, with portability comes increased risk of damage. A laptop “out in the field” needs extra care and attention. Here are some suggestions for keeping your laptop at peak performance and maximum lifespan:

• Clean It and Keep It Clean Inside and Out
  • The manufacturer’s housing on your laptop is meant to offer protection from minor dirt, dust and vibrations. However, over time, dust, dirt, food crumbs and other particles can get into your machine and muck up internal components such as the cooling fan. If the fan gets too dirty, it can slow down or stop, leading to other problems, such as your laptop over-heating. Computers shut down to protect themselves when over-heated. Also, other components can malfunction from dirt and grime. Liquids (especially caustic ones) are potentially the most damaging to laptops. One spilled latte can deliver a death blow.
  • Close the cover on your laptop whenever you are not using it. Closing the machine is a best practice because dirt and other gunk cannot get into your keyboard and cause keys to stick or malfunction completely.
  • Cleaning your laptop regularly can add years to its life. Blowing out the internal components and keyboard with compressed air will stop dirt and dust from accumulating, thereby decreasing the chance of malfunctioning. If you are uncomfortable doing internal cleaning yourself, contact your IT technician to perform professional laptop cleaning services. Laptops used in dusty environments such as warehouses or construction sites are particularly at risk.
• Install All Updates – It is vital to keep your laptop’s operating system, virus protection and apps up to date. Updates may contain cyber security fixes, eliminate system bugs and add new features. Ideally, users should set their laptops to update automatically. By staying current with updates, you are supporting your laptop’s security and functionality. Sometimes, laptop upgrade services or other additions will not be compatible with older versions of operating systems.
• If Using Windows with an HDD, Defragment It – If your laptop stores data on an HDD (not an SSD), defragging the drive will organize your data to allow faster data processing speed. Also, by deleting unused or unnecessary files before defragging, your storage drive will not have to work as hard. It can quickly move through less data that is also well organized.
• Pay Attention to Temperature – All computers generate heat. Your laptop over-heating can create more severe issues. Overheating will reduce the longevity of the internal components. Be careful not to block the air vents on your machine with soft bedding or pillows and check the fan if it seems to be getting hotter than usual. Laptops have ventilation holes on the bottom that can become blocked with dust.
• Set Your Laptop to Sleep or Power It Off When Not Using It – Anytime you are not using your laptop or transporting it, you should make it a habit to put it in sleep mode or shut it down completely. Transporting a laptop powered up and with open apps increases the chances of problems occurring.
• Get A Padded Laptop Case – Always transport your laptop in a suitably sized and cushioned case. Banging it around or carrying it by its screen is a recipe for disaster. The case may be shock resistant, but the internal components, screen and hinges can be damaged or loosened. If you protect your laptop from falls and collisions, it will last longer.
• When Using It, Leave It On – Every time you shut down or power up your computer (laptop or any device), it amounts to a small amount of wear and tear. So, if you are using it, leave it on. Ideally, turning your laptop on and off once per day is a best practice.
• Protect the Power Cord – With laptop computers, we constantly plug and unplug the power cord. Unplug using the plug and avoid yanking them by the cord. Although manufacturers generally make strong, well-insulated power cords, they can stretch, causing internal damage to the cord. Also, the insulation can develop tears, which leaves the internal conducting element exposed and more vulnerable to actual breaks. A short in a power cord can damage the laptop. Extra care of your laptop’s power cord is another best practice and should extend its lifespan and support the device’s ongoing functionality. Avoid stretching them across areas where people walk, or allowing pets or people to step on them.
• Use A Premium Surge Protector – Plug your laptop into a high-quality surge protector (not just a power strip) whenever possible. Power surges can be very damaging to your machine and, at their worst, can short out your laptop’s inner components and router. When traveling, bring along a compact surge protector.
• Fix Issues When You Notice Them – It is self-sabotaging to ignore things that aren’t working right on your laptop. Small issues often become persistent problems and indicate more severe issues. It is far more prudent to fix any problems that arise as soon as you notice them. In the long term, you will save time and money or avoid a laptop breakdown at a crucial time, such as during travel or client meetings. Mobile IT technicians can visit your home or office or meet you at a convenient location for service.

A little laptop care and daily best practices, as outlined above, can make a difference in a laptop computer's functionality and working life. If you don’t have time for DIY cleanings or think you may need laptop upgrade services, ask your technician for a professional opinion on whether the device is too old for laptop updating. They can recommend appropriate replacement options based on your needs. They can also fully wipe business and personal data from decommissioned old equipment before you donate or discard it.