Most experts agree that the average life of a computer or laptop is about three to five years. But manufacturers and retailers often try to push you to upgrade to the latest and greatest computers more often. Most people don’t need to do that. We should strive to get the most life out of our devices as we can.
Just like you maintain your car and your home you should do the same with your computers and your laptops.
Let’s talk about some easy steps you can take to make sure you are not only extending the life of your computers but getting the best performance from them as well.
Dust and Dirt
Dust and dirt are your computer enemy. Inside of your computer and laptop are several fans. If these fans become clogged with debris, they will no longer function properly. When this happens, your computer can overheat because the fans are intended to keep your computer and laptop cool. Heat causes major damage to computers. You should also keep the outside of the computer clean, especially a laptop. Keep food and drinks away from your computer. Spilling liquid on a keyboard or other parts of the laptop or computer can cause damage and lead to hardware failure.
Once or twice a year you should open the computer case and clean the inside. While this can also be done on a laptop it can be tricky to open a laptop case depending on the make and model. If you would like to try doing it yourself you can find instruction manuals on the manufacturer’s website and also plenty of YouTube videos detailing the process. If you are not comfortable cleaning the laptop yourself, check with a local computer repair shop to get the job done.
For a computer you can remove the cover and very carefully use canned air and a Q-Tip to remove dust and debris from the fans and other areas of the computer. Before opening the case unplug everything from the computer. The power cord, mouse, keyboard and any other external devices that are connected. You can purchase cleaning tools specifically designed to clean the inside of a computer but I find canned air, Q-Tips and a vacuum cleaner work very well. Weather permitting you can take the computer outside to blow the dust out because it can be a messy job.
Keep it Cool
Heat is very damaging to computers and laptops. Position your computer in an open area. Don’t put your computer inside of a cabinet or in another location that does not receive proper ventilation. Put it on a desk or another elevated area, not on the floor. Carpet fibers, pet hair, dust and other debris can easily get inside of the computer if it is on the floor. And avoid placing it in a location that receives direct sunlight or is near a heating duct. Laptops tend to overheat more than desktop computers. You can purchase a laptop cooling pad if you notice your laptop is too hot.
Keep it Up to Date
Keep the operating system and the software you have installed on your computer up to date. Enable automatic Windows updates so that when Microsoft releases new updates they are installed automatically. The same is true for the other programs you have installed. Be sure to regularly check for updates for those programs. Most can be configured to automatically check for and install updates as they are released. Updates ensure that your software is running optimally.
Uninstall Programs
Uninstall any programs you no longer need or use. Each program that is installed takes up space and uses memory. Getting rid of what you don’t need will improve system performance.
Run Antivirus Scans
Run system scans regularly and keep your antivirus program up to date. Viruses and other malware can cause all kinds of problems.
Update the Hardware
Adding a solid-state drive (SSD) and additional memory can really speed up your computer or laptop. It is not difficult to replace most hardware. Memory (RAM) is generally very easy to install and can have a positive impact on system performance. If you are purchasing a new computer or laptop, be sure to get a large enough hard drive, preferably a solid-state drive and plenty of memory when you order. The same is true for the processor and graphics card. It is best to get what you need when you buy.
Update Device Drivers
Device drivers are pieces of code or software that allow your computer to communicate with the hardware that is installed. Often manufacturers release driver updates that enhance performance or address problems. A few times a year check for updates. A faulty or outdated driver can cause errors, blue screens and degrade overall system performance.
Manage Startup Programs
When you install a program on your computer it is often added to the startup group, meaning that each time you start your computer or laptop the program loads and runs in the background. Sometimes that is necessary as with your antivirus software, but most programs do not need to run at startup. Disable what is not necessary.
Clean Up Old Files
We accumulate a lot of files over time. These can be files we create in our word processor or office program, audio and video files and pictures and images. Go through the files and delete what is no longer needed. This will free up disk space. And be sure to empty the recycle bin when you are finished deleting files. The files you delete go there and they are still using disk space until you empty it.
Delete Cookies & Temp Files
These files also accumulate over time. Clear out cookies and temp files in your web browser. This will not only free up some space but will also help your browser run more efficiently.
Surge Protector
Invest in a high-quality surge protector. A surge protector protects your computer and your laptop from a sudden power surge which can damage or completely ruin electronic devices. Spikes and surges can happen when there is a power outage or other power issue. A power strip is not the same as a surge protector. Look for one that comes with a manufacturer’s warranty. This would cover the equipment connected to it up to a certain dollar amount. Check the joule rating. This shows the amount of energy the surge protector can absorb before you need to replace it. The higher the rating the better.
The UL VPR specifies the clamping voltage. Lower ratings are best.
Look for one that has an auto-shutoff feature. When a power surge or other power issue occurs the surge protector will shut down to protect the devices attached to it.
An indicator light lets you know that the surge protector is on and connected to a properly grounded outlet.
Some list a response time. That indicates how quickly the surge protector responds. Lower response times are better.
Look for one with enough widely spaced outlets to connect all of your devices. Some come with rotating outlets that allow you to swivel them to accommodate larger plugs without blocking the other outlets.
Do a Clean Install of Windows
One of the major reasons people purchase a new computer is because it is slow. Often that is due to years of use. The operating system slows down, programs are installed, and junk accumulates. Returning the computer to factory settings and doing a clean install of Windows can make a huge difference.
The Tech Minimalist 