Guides to Keep Your Laptop in Best Condition

by Michael Tan

A laptop computer is not cheap. So if you own a laptop, you should do everything you can to keep it in the best condition.

Aside from cleaning your screen and dusting the keyboard, however, you'll need to take a few extra steps to maintain your laptop's health:

1. Play it cool - A laptop computer generates a lot of heat, especially when running the latest high-powered software. Too much heat and you risk damaging the internal circuitry. Always try to keep your laptop in a well-ventilated, cool environment. And ensure you don't block the fan grills on the sides, back, or bottom of the machine at any time.

2. Handle the screen carefully - Avoid touching or playing with your LCD screen. Yes, it might be fun to watch the waves generated by your finger against the screen, but LCD displays are fragile devices that must be cared for. Take care when cleaning the screen too, and use only approved cleaning materials. You won't want to pay the money for screen repairs or, even worse - a new machine entirely.

3. Don't drop it - Whatever you do, don't drop your laptop computer! Keep it safe inside of a carrying case when moving around or traveling. Don't leave it on the edge of a table or on an unstable support of some kind. One ill fated drop to the floor could spell death for your mobile office. Try to make sure the rubber feet underneath are in good condition and are still attached. This will prevent the device from sliding around accidentally.

4. Don't spill your drinks on it - Many people have the habit of eating or drinking while working on their laptops. Unless your laptop is water-proof, you want to be extra careful when having drinks near your laptop. A few drops of liquid on the right spot of the laptop will easily kill the machine. It's especially important to keep your drinks away from the touchpad and keyboard.

5. Just say no to viruses - Security wise, make sure you obtain an anti-virus program. Secondly, keep it updated! Buying an anti-virus one month and not updating it for the next six really negates it purpose. Your laptop computer could be exposed to hundreds and thousands of new viruses every month if you don't update your virus definitions. Most anti-virus programs have automatic update methods, eliminating the need for you to have to remember to do it manually.

These are the few basic guidelines that will ensure your laptop to be in good health. Every laptop owners should follow these guidelines if they wish to keep a longer lifespan for their laptops!

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