Laptop Care: Simple Steps To Help Your Laptop Last Longer

Summary: This 3-minute article explores the simple steps to take to care of your laptop computer and get the best performance and the longest possible lifespan. Contact GEEKAID Computer and Network Support at https://www.geek-aid.com/ for more comprehensive business IT solutions and guidance for maintaining your laptop and other devices.

Although nothing lasts forever, one can usually get the most out of things by taking care of them. This approach particularly applies to electronic devices. Laptops offer incredible work mobility. However, with that freedom comes a world of vulnerabilities that would not exist if your laptop was in your home or office. A laptop “out in the field” needs extra user attention to its care and overall IT maintenance. Here are some suggestions for keeping your laptop at peak performance and extending its 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. Also, other components can malfunction from dirt and grime. Liquids are potentially the most damaging to laptops. One spilled latte can deliver a death blow.
  • It is a good practice to close the cover on your laptop whenever you are not using it. Closing the machine is a best practice because dirt and other gunk can get into your keyboard and cause keys to stick or malfunction completely.
  • Cleaning your laptop regularly can literally 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, you can take your laptop to a professional laptop cleaning service.
• Install All Updates – It is vital to keep your laptop’s operating system, virus protection and apps up to date. Many updates contain cyber security fixes, fewer bugs and new features. Ideally, users should set their laptops to update automatically. By staying current, you are supporting your laptop’s security and functionality.
• 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 searching through less data that is also well organized.
• Pay Attention To Temperature – All computers generate heat. That’s why large server data centers control the inside temperature to keep it as cool as possible. Your laptop over heating can lead to more severe issues. Overheating will reduce the longevity of the internal components. Be careful not to block the air vents on your machine and check the fan if it seems to be getting hotter than usual.
• 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 and screen hinges are not protected from unusual abuse. If you protect your computer, it will last longer. Period.
• 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’re using it, leave it on. Ideally, turning your laptop on and off once per day is a best practice.
• Check Your Power Cord – With laptop computers, we constantly plug and unplug the power cord. Many users quickly wrap power cords up and shove them into pockets or compartments in a backpack or briefcase. 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 significant short in a user’s 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.
• Use A Premium Surge Protector – Plug your laptop into a high-quality surge protector 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. So when traveling, bring along a compact surge protector.
• If You Notice It, Fix It! – It is self-sabotaging to ignore things that aren’t working right on your laptop. Small things often become persistent problems and lead to 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.

A little laptop care and best practices, as outlined above, can make a difference in a laptop computer's functionality and working life. If you are uncomfortable with a DIY approach or think your laptop may need updating, contact a reputable IT support company and hire them to provide laptop upgrade services and other computer repairs before your machine fails.