How to Improve Device Performance and Longevity - Laptop Maintenance Tips

Laptops are crucial pieces of equipment in the average person’s day to day life. Modern life has developed with the expectation of increased reliance on our computing devices for many years now. As a result of this, laptops have become a hugely valuable piece of equipment for many people. An increasing population carry out their work and studies on their laptop, so it has become a vital tool for productivity and career advancement. Even disregarding the professional aspect, they play a huge role in our personal lives. They act as our mode of entertainment, social interaction, and a way to store memories with photos and videos.

With the ever increasing importance of these devices, it becomes more and more necessary for regular maintenance to take place. This will ensure longevity, as well as keeping performance suitable for your needs. Laptops can be expensive, so in order to protect that investment it makes sense to keep it in good condition. Here some tips to follow when trying to upkeep your laptop.

Keep it Clean

Cleanliness is the first thing that should be kept in mind. Fortunately, it is quite easy to follow through with this. Every now and then, when you notice a build up of dust or dirt on the exterior of the laptop, give it a wipe down with a microfibre cloth. Doing this will go a long way. Air vents should also be checked to ensure they aren’t obstructed, as this can negatively impact airflow, which can cause the laptop to run hot or overheat and cause poor performance. If you notice a severe build up of dust or dirt and you would like a professional to take care of it for you, we offer a cleaning service here at our shop.

Keep it Updated

Keeping your software updated is another important maintenance task that can be easily overlooked. Ensuring that your operating system, applications, and drivers are up to date will keep everything running smoothly. It is very simple to keep on top of; updates often will go through automatically, so just check if there are any available that haven’t been installed every now and then.

Remove Unnecessary Files and Applications

Managing your laptop’s storage space should be added to a regular maintenance routine. Any files and applications that are not being used and will not be needed in the future should be removed to free up space. It is important to not let the drive on your laptop get too full, as it can slow down the computer as well. We also always recommend regular backups to protect your data from being lost - either by using external drives or cloud backups.

Protect Against Viruses

Understanding how you can protect your laptop from malicious software is vital for security and device performance. There are many options for reliable anti-virus software available that can protect your laptop - if you need help with this we can provide assistance at our shop. Apart from anti-virus software, it is important to develop an awareness of potential risks when using the laptop. Never download anything from untrustworthy websites, and don’t click on suspicious links.

Take Care of the Battery

The battery is one of the most important components of your laptop that needs to be taken care of. As it ages, it will degrade and lose capacity - however you can slow the speed of degradation by following a couple of practices. Generally speaking, you should avoid keeping your laptop plugged in and charging at 100 percent. This can put strain on the battery and shorten its lifespan. It is recommended to keep the battery level between 20 and 80 percent. Some laptops have settings that will stop charging once it reaches 80 percent while still plugged in, however if yours doesn’t have this feature the same effect is achieved by simply unplugging it.

Get it Repaired When Needed

As your laptop ages, it becomes more likely that a repair will be needed. There are many components that can become failure points, so it’s important to bring it to a repair shop like ours right away when you notice an issue. You should monitor your machine’s condition and performance - if there’s physical damage or it has been slowing down significantly, it should be looked at by a professional for appropriate advice and action. Replacing parts when needed and economical can drastically improve your device’s lifespan.

If these recommendations are followed, you are in a great position to have a long lasting laptop, and could potentially avoid costly damage that builds up over time.

If you need any repairs or assistance with your laptop or desktop PC, drop by our shop in Dublin - our expert technicians can help!

Email us at hello@right-click.ie or call (01) 475 9681 to contact us.