5 Steps to Proper Laptop Maintenance

5 Steps to Proper Laptop Maintenance

Most experts estimate that the average laptop lasts for around three to five years. For some people, that may not be a problem. Others may be wondering why they have to spend so much money to use something for such a short period of time.

Regardless of which type of person you are, by giving it a little maintenance now and then, you can help extend your laptop’s lifespan.

Keep reading to learn about five laptop maintenance tips that’ll help you increase laptop life expectancy.

  1. Be Gentle 

An alarming number of people treat their laptops like they’re not hardware pieces that cost hundreds (or thousands) of dollars. Make sure to be gentle!

Whenever you’re not using your laptop, you should make sure to store it in a case. The same goes for when you’re traveling. Instead of shoving it into your backpack, put it in a case to protect it from being tossed around.

  1. Avoid Hazardous Situations

When you use your computer, do you also drink coffee? If you do, make a point to put your cup far away from your laptop.

Spills happen easier than people realize, and depending on the liquid, you can create lasting problems. If everything seems fine after the liquid dries, there’s a chance that you’ve damaged your computer’s hardware.

The same goes for food. Snacking and using your computer might seem harmless, but crumbs can seep down through the keyboard and create problems.

  1. Clean Your Laptop

Make sure to give your laptop a quality cleaning every so often. Aside from wiping down the screen and keyboard, don’t be afraid to open it up and clean the inside as well.

Dust and other particles build up over time. This can create problems for different hardware pieces, such as the laptop battery. Use a can of compressed air or a good old fashioned rag to blow or wipe away any potential problems.

  1. Consider Upgrading the Hardware

Many people are under the misconception that you can’t upgrade the hardware of a laptop. Although that may be the case with some models, many laptops allow you to upgrade some basic things.

Depending on how old your laptop is, it might be a good idea to add a few extra sticks of RAM or upgrade to a bigger hard drive. Make sure you weigh the cost of upgrading with buying a new laptop.

  1. Keep Your System Updated

Next time, instead of exiting out of the new update notification like you always do, consider getting around to installing it. System updates help your computer stay in good shape.

Developers release performance and security enhancements with each update. These can help hardware pieces run better, and also keep your computer better protected against different malware threats.

Perform Some Routine Laptop Maintenance to Make Your Laptop Last Longer 

Whether you use your laptop for work, play, or a combination of the two, you want to make sure that you get to enjoy it for as long as possible. By spending time on laptop maintenance, you’ll cut down on many laptop problems and increase its lifespan.

Do you now have a better understanding of how to take care of a laptop? If you do, make sure to check out some of our other blog posts for more guides and tips.