How to extend the life of a laptop. How to extend the life of a laptop Maintain temperature control
Increasingly, users prefer a laptop over a desktop computer. Buyers are attracted by its compactness and mobility, and most importantly, it has all the advantages of a standard desktop (unlike tablets that have a mobile operating system installed). Moreover, laptops are becoming more powerful than their desktop counterparts.
At the same time, the portability of a laptop significantly increases the risk of damage and breakdown. It becomes more vulnerable when dropped, exposed to liquid or overheated - all of which, in turn, significantly reduce its service life. The following tips will help you avoid costly repairs and extend the life of your laptop:
1. Keep your laptop/tablet/phone in a cool place and it will last longer
Overheating is the enemy of electronics. For example, extreme heat can damage the screen, reduce battery life, and even melt the adhesive inside the device.
And these are not all the negative consequences of excess heat on a computer. When a metal is heated, it expands, and when it cools, it contracts. This means that all the wires and metal parts in the laptop device are stretched and compressed, which can lead to the failure of its main components.
You may ask: what if my laptop has already overheated repeatedly? Does this mean the end of its normal functioning? We answer: most likely not. However, repeatedly exposing your computer to heat (for example, leaving it in a hot car or in direct sunlight) will reduce its performance.
2. Buy a case
Human skin is an amazing thing. If it gets a bruise or scratch, it can heal itself within a few days. The laptop was less fortunate in this regard. Any scratch, dent, etc. is displayed on its body as a “badge of honor.” For this reason, you should not skimp on a cover or case. The case will protect your laptop from any physical damage, scratches and dust.
There are special cases that are attached directly to the laptop body, thereby acting as additional “armor” in case of an accidental fall or strong impacts.
3. Keep your laptop clean
If you keep your laptop clean, then most likely it will serve you faithfully for many more years. After all, dust settling inside becomes the main cause of its breakdown or overheating.
However, this does not mean that you should clean your computer too intensively. It is enough to blow out all the ports with a can of compressed air, which will “drive out” dust from every nook and cranny. Also, removing dirt from hinges and moving parts will reduce the risk of wear.
4. Upgrade your laptop withSSDdrive
If you want to improve the performance of your laptop, we recommend purchasing a so-called solid state drive. Typically, upgrading a laptop becomes more difficult as it ages.
For example, on a desktop computer it is quite easy to replace the processor, RAM or any other components (with the help of a professional guide presented on the manufacturer’s websites or on YouTube).
On the other hand, small parts are usually made to fit inside a laptop. Therefore, difficulties may arise when upgrading RAM or processor. Laptop hard drives are usually a standard size and are usually quite affordable.
Installing an SSD drive, firstly, will increase its speed and reduce the heat generation in the device.
Secondly, an SSD provides an additional layer of safety and protection: if you drop your laptop, it will almost certainly remain intact and survive the fall due to the lack of moving parts that can be easily damaged. This is fundamentally different from a traditional spinning hard drive, which has moving platters that can easily be scratched or damaged during transportation.
5. Give a second life to an old laptop
And last but not least advice. What to do if you feel bad about throwing away your old laptop, but want to work comfortably on it?
Often when a laptop reaches the end of its life, you may notice a significant decrease in its speed and performance. Therefore, many adapt the no longer young device to a media player or TV.
If your laptop performs such simple tasks, then it will be enough to install a light version of the Linux operating system on it. Typically, Linux consumes less system resources than Windows or Mac - which means your laptop will start running faster.
We use laptops to work, play and communicate from anywhere in the world. And if you're like most people, keep your laptop plugged in at home and at work. But in vain.
If you want to squeeze maximum energy out of your laptop's batteries, unplug it as soon as the indicator shows 100 percent charge. And even a little earlier.
The head of Cadex Electronics, Isidore Buschmann, is confident that ideally you need to charge the battery to 80 percent, then turn it off, wait until the charge level drops to 40 percent, and turn it on again. This technique will extend the life of your battery up to four times.
The reason lies in the voltage level of each element of the lithium polymer battery. The higher the charging percentage, the higher the voltage level. The higher the voltage level, the higher the load on each element. This load results in a reduction in discharge time. According to the Battery University website, if a laptop can produce 300-500 discharge cycles when charging to 100 percent, then when charging to 70 percent, the number of these cycles increases to 1200-2000.
Buschmann knows this well, as his company sponsors Battery University. In addition, he claims that it is not only constant connection to the network that shortens the life of the battery - temperature also plays a significant role in this process. Overheating can cause battery cells to expand and cause bubbles to form. Such a battery will not last long.
To avoid these troubles, it is better not to close the laptop lid or keep it on your lap.
Buschmann admits that his advice to keep charge levels between 40 and 80 percent is easier said than done. Constantly keeping the indicator under control during operation is not very convenient. “But it’s not that hard to at least charge it to about 80 percent every time. And when you're going on a trip, stop charging a little short of 100 percent,” he says.
Some users have adapted to calculating the time it takes for the computer to discharge from 80 to 40 percent and set a timer. They do the same thing over time as the batteries charge.
Computer slows down
Today, a laptop is the most popular work tool. Most of us use it every day, but we rarely think about whether we are doing it right. It is worth remembering that even minor carelessness can affect the operation of the laptop and cause serious damage. Let's learn together how to use it correctly to extend the life of your assistant.
1. Keep your laptop away from pets
You might think it's funny when your favorite cat climbs on your laptop to "help" you work, but you shouldn't encourage this behavior. Cats are attracted to the warmth of the unit, but should not be allowed to sit on it as their fur may get into the cooling system. This will eventually lead to overheating and malfunction.
Also, don't eat in front of your laptop. Any bits of food that get into your keyboard can attract the most unwanted guests: cockroaches and ants.
2. Carry your laptop carefully
Try to be very careful with your laptop when you move it unless it has a solid state drive (SSD). Without knowing it, you can cause damage to your mechanical hard drive if you shake it too much, as it has many moving parts that can break easily. This way you can lose your data.
3. Store cables properly
You might think that since cables are made of wires and rubber, nothing can happen to them. Of course, they can be twisted or folded in any way that suits you. But since manufacturers want to make laptops as mobile as possible, cables are also made very light and thin. This means that you should not twist the cable so that sharp corners appear, or deform it during operation. This can cause the plug to become loose and may cause charging problems.
4. Don't leave your laptop on charge 24/7
It is technically impossible to overcharge a laptop battery, since modern models have a lithium-ion battery. However, this can damage the microcontroller that keeps the battery from overcharging. In this case, an uninterrupted power supply will overheat the battery.
As a rule, those users who do not know how to handle their equipment carefully turn to a laptop repair shop much more often. In such cases, breakdowns occur more often than would be the case with careful use of the gadget.
Often, an inexperienced user buys a fashionable device without knowing the basic rules for caring for it. As a result, you have to spend money on expensive repairs, or even buy a new laptop if the damaged one cannot be repaired.
Care instructions
- Before using the laptop, you must fully charge and then discharge it several times. When you turn on the charger, you first need to connect it to the laptop, and then to the network. If possible, you should use to avoid situations with voltage drop.
- Open the device carefully, without making sudden movements and holding it by the center.
- Do not leave various objects on the laptop keyboard that could damage the screen if the cover is accidentally closed.
- Avoid places where the device may be subject to vibration.
- The laptop must be on a hard surface while working. To prevent overheating, air must freely penetrate into the existing ventilation holes.
- Do not place the device near heat sources or direct sunlight, which may seriously affect its performance. In winter, you need to use a special insulated bag to carry it. If your laptop has been exposed to cold temperatures, you should give it time to adapt before turning it on.
Very often, breakdowns occur when various types of contact occur. Never place glasses of drinks near the laptop or eat food while working with it. If liquids get inside, it can lead to significant problems, replacement of the keyboard, and even complete failure of the device.
When cleaning your laptop, use special cleaning wipes for computer equipment. Do not allow the keyboard to become clogged. Regular and careful handling will prolong the performance of your gadget for a long time.
Laptop repairs, as a rule, have to be carried out by owners who carelessly handle computer equipment and use it incorrectly. For such users, laptop breakdowns and malfunctions began to appear much more often than we would like. Most often, the problem is that the owner of the laptop does not know how to properly handle computer equipment. Repairing a laptop is very expensive, and sometimes in case of serious breakdowns it’s easier to even buy a new one. So that you do not become disappointed in your laptop, extend its life.
It’s not difficult to protect your laptop from many troubles and extend its service life. To do this, you just need to follow the basic rules:
- Initially, the laptop should be fully charged and undergo several full charge/discharge cycles. When connecting the charger, always connect it to the laptop first and only then to the mains. Avoid connecting to a network with unstable voltage and, if possible, use special filters to dampen these differences.
- When working with a laptop, open it carefully (hold the lid on both sides or by the center).
- Do not place foreign objects on the keyboard to avoid accidental damage to the screen when closing the cover.
- Do not install it in a location where it may be subject to vibration during operation.
- Avoid placing your laptop on a soft surface to prevent it from overheating. The main thing is not to obstruct the free flow of air through the ventilation holes on the side and bottom of the case.
- To avoid the negative impact on your laptop of too high or too low temperatures, which can lead to quite serious problems, keep it away from any heat sources, carry it in a special insulated bag in winter, and protect it from direct sunlight in summer. If this is not possible, then before turning it on, give the laptop time to adapt to temperature.
- A common cause of laptop malfunctions is unplanned interaction with liquids. To prevent this from happening, keep any containers containing them away from him. But if you still cannot avoid the incident, immediately turn off the laptop, remove the battery from it, turn it upside down with the keyboard and dry it for at least 2 days.
Remember! Cleaning, regular preventative examinations and careful care are easier than expensive laptop repairs. To maintain stable operation of computer equipment, preventive cleaning of the laptop is necessary, which can be done with a vacuum cleaner turned on for blowing, both in disassembled form and through the ventilation holes.
The keyboard is cleaned in the same way; it requires careful care, because... Repairing a laptop keyboard is a very labor-intensive process and also expensive. Wipe the screen with special wipes and never use liquids containing alcohol.
So, in order for your laptop to remain fully operational and last a long time, you need to remember that it really does not like humidity, temperature changes, vibrations, and dust. Computer technology prefers careful and careful use . Preventive laptop cleaning and competent maintenance are the key to the long life of your equipment.
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When working with a laptop, it is important to observe the temperature regime - avoid overcooling the device and never turn on the laptop immediately after bringing it indoors from the cold - to avoid the formation of condensation. To prevent your laptop from overheating, do not block the air flow to its vents. This means that it is better to avoid using the laptop on your lap, in bed or on any other soft surfaces. If the temptation is too great, then it is better to get a special stand or table for your laptop.
Even if all operating rules are followed, over time the laptop begins to overheat, which can subsequently lead to serious damage. Therefore, it is important to regularly thoroughly clean the cooling system and replace thermal paste.
In order for your laptop to serve you faithfully for a long time, you must try to protect it from unwanted mechanical influences. Avoid dropping, shaking, or placing heavy objects on the laptop's lid to avoid damaging the screen, hard drive (HDD), or other components. If you are going to frequently move your computer, then perhaps you should think about a special one.
Useful tips from Kay specialists. Replacing your hard drive with a more modern one will not only speed up your laptop, but also protect your data, since the absence of mechanical parts in SSDs makes them shock-resistant.Cleaning and caring for your laptop
Regular maintenance is the best way to extend the life of your laptop. At the same time, we must not forget that it is better to carry out all laptop cleaning activities with the device turned off and disconnected from the network.
To clean the case, you can use a cleaning cloth or a damp microfiber cloth. The same method is suitable for cleaning a laptop screen and removing grease stains from the keyboard.
You can rid your keyboard of dust and crumbs by using a small brush or brush that will help clean the gaps between the keys.
A special feature is cleaning the laptop cooling system, which is recommended to be done at least once a year. Such cleaning, as a rule, includes cleaning the radiators of the cooling system from dust accumulated on them, cleaning and lubricating the fans, replacing thermal paste on the video card and processor chips, which in most cases requires completely disassembling the laptop. This set of measures helps to significantly reduce the operating temperature of the device, avoid overheating and failure of expensive motherboard chips to repair.
It is important to know that homemade methods of cleaning the cooling system, such as blowing with a hairdryer or vacuum cleaner, are at best unproductive, and at worst can lead to serious damage to the laptop. So, if you are not sure that you can clean the laptop cooling system yourself, you can always trust
Battery
In the realities of the modern world, the rechargeable battery remains one of the weak points of a laptop - even top models have a battery life that lasts for several years at best. Battery life is usually measured in charge/discharge cycles, with lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries on average designed for 300-800 such cycles.
Modern laptops are equipped with power controllers that protect the battery from overcharging and overdischarging, but it is better to try not to let the battery get to the point where the laptop completely dies. If this does happen, you should connect your laptop to the network as soon as possible.
You also need to keep in mind that lithium batteries have a so-called “aging effect,” which means that such a battery will lose its life regardless of whether you use it or not. But the so-called “memory effect”, in which it was necessary to regularly completely discharge/charge the battery several times to maintain optimal capacity, lithium batteries do not have, unlike their nickel-based predecessors.
Useful tips from Kay specialists.Deep discharge is detrimental to lithium batteries, so it is best to get into the habit of connecting your laptop to the network when it still has 10-15% charge left.
Do not be afraid of frequent recharges, including incomplete ones - they will not harm the battery.
If your laptop is constantly connected to the network, you can remove the pre-charged battery to 40% and store it separately in a cool place, remembering to recharge it about once a month. This will help maintain discharge/charge cycles, but the battery will still gradually lose capacity even if you don't use it.
It is important to remember that the battery is a consumable item and, if it breaks or has exhausted its service life, it can always be replaced with a new one. The main thing when replacing a battery or power supply is that the output voltage (in volts) and current (in amperes) correspond to the original ones.
Following these simple tips, as well as treating your laptop responsibly and carefully, will help you extend its life. Remember, it is best not to fix breakdowns, but to prevent them in a timely manner!
