Every household in 2020 contains laptops, personal computers, mobiles, and other electronic devices. According to a survey conducted recently, some American households have as many as 10 electronic devices. While this number doesn’t look its going down any time soon, these electronic devices require maintenance and upkeep. It is cheaper to buy a new one but not as cheap as one would expect.
Maintenance allows you to keep your device healthy and functioning for long without burning a hole in your pocket. It also reduces the time or effort needed to transition to a new machine or system. Maintaining computers and devices ensure your devices attract decent prices if sold second hand or offered in exchange for newer pieces. The best users and computer experts know the regular maintenance tips and techniques to follow that improve the life of your device. Below is our highly regarded and specialized, must have checklist for computer maintenance.
- Keep it clean- The easiest thing to do yet most users often forget this tip. Keep your device and accessories clean. A dirty keyboard can cause damage to your health and skin. If your keyboard is dirty or dusty, chances are it will transfer to your fingers and when you eventually touch your face, it will transfer to your face. Keyboards are easy to replace and not that expensive but a clean and well-maintained keyboard just lasts longer and saves an unnecessary expense ahead of time. Use a damp, lint-free cloth to wipe your keyboard. Ideally, you should be doing it once a day but if that seems too much, then try once every 2-3 days. Do not spray water directly into the keyboard. Ensure there is no water pooling or dripping on to your device. Your laptop and desktop will have crevices and nooks that gather dust and dirt. Use a brush or a mop specially crafted to clean those. You can do that once a month by setting a reminder.
- Keep Food away- Spills and food particles can damage the casing of your device or affect its operating system. It’s easy to have a meal or drink near your laptop but remember to eat away from the keyboard. This tip is really handy for families that share devices with children or younger people using computers.
- Don’t Overcharge- It can be tempting to keep your device plugged in all the time if you are at home. This is a needless drain on your power supply and will increase your electricity bill. It is also harmful for your device and its batteries. Excessive charging damages the capabilities of a battery. After a year you will begin to notice a drop in your device and its ability to charge efficiently. This is why most laptops need a power cord handy after a year or two, as their batteries have been damaged and weakened. Waiting until your device gets near 20-25% is a good idea.
- Don’t Block the Vents- Machines need to breathe, so their insides can cool enough to function effectively. High-performance devices such as gaming laptops, desktops used for editing movies, software heavy machines especially require cooling and ventilation. Elevate your desktop to ensure secure airflow from both sides. Avoid clutter around your workspace such as papers or books. Maintaining a decent and warm room temperature also benefits your device.
- Have a desiccant- Desiccants are products specifically made to mop and remove moisture out of electronics. Desiccant bags are easily available on Amazon and are sufficient to dry a waterlogged phone or small device. This is useful for smartwatches or phones in case they get wet or are dropped in water. You can even use silica gel bags found in purses and packing boxes. Collect them as you find them and store them in a child and pet free and proof area. A bunch of those and you can dry out a wet phone.
- Keep Magnets Away- Your hard drive is sensitive to magnets of any kind. Keep them completely away from the area where your electronic device is.
- Shut it down Properly- The way you shut down your device or laptop matters. It hardly takes a minute to shut it down using the keyboard. It is really important especially for Windows machines as Microsoft only patches systems in shutdown mode. Avoid ‘cold booting’ your machine, that is holding down the power button till the system shuts off. While it’s okay to not switch off your cell phones, you can try putting them on silent or reducing the vibration mode at night.
This is a comprehensive, must have checklist for computer maintenance. While these tips can help prolong the life of your device, eventually you will have to get a new one. Try donating your old one to a friend or to a non-profit organization that recycles old laptops, desktops, tablets, cellphones, and electronic devices. E-waste donations also come under tax deductions in certain regions which can benefit you financially.
