It seems like everyone has a laptop these days; prices are so low now they have become a staple in many house holds for everyday computing.
Prices may be cheap but let’s face it no one likes to find their laptop dead. Today I would like to tell you how to make that laptop or netbook last a long as possible.
Don’t smother it
Just like teenagers laptops don’t like to be smothered. Take a look at the edge and bottom of yours. See those vents and those tiny rubber feet? That’s how your laptop cools itself. The feet are meant to raise the bottom just enough to circulate air to the fan. Don’t get me wrong, not every single make or model works like this but the majority do. Overheating can cause serious trouble including failed hard drive, failed motherboard, and failed battery.
Tips to keep your laptop cool:
- Always keep it on a hard level surface. Placing it on your bed to use it will block cooling vents, same with your lap
- Make sure it’s completely powered off before putting it into its case
- Periodically blow the dust out of the fan. Be cautious and don’ t let the fan spin, compressed air can make it spin faster than it’s intended for. (ask me how to do it safely)
Keep it dry
You’d think that would be a no brainer but nevertheless I have worked on laptops with liquid damage. All of them coffee with cream and sugar. Most spills happen on the keyboard. If you spill liquid on yours you’d better act fast. Unplug it and pull the battery out, open your laptop flat as possible and lay it keyboard down on a towel. Let your laptop dry at least overnight, a full 24 hours if you can take it. Depending what you spilled on it the damage will vary. If it was just water you could be okay. Coffee with sugar and cream would likely mean a new keyboard and possibly a trackpad. Get professional help and stay out of the retail chains. Someone with experience should open your laptop and see how far the liquid got. If you were quick enough you could be okay with minimal expense.
Keep it cool, keep it dry, and backup it up regularly!