Laptops: caring for your device
Aysë Stenabaugh
Jesters Computers
(10/2023) Properly caring for your laptop is slightly different than how you would care for a Desktop PC. Given a laptop’s portability, you may be moving your device around more frequently. Even if you do use your laptop in one primary location, continue reading to learn a few tips that you can utilize to help your device last longer.
If you will not be using your laptop for an extended period, it is best to shut your device down completely between uses. While sleep mode can be nice, if your battery depletes completely or if a program is not functioning properly sleep mode can cause more trouble than it's worth. When moving your device from one location to another, unplug your power cable from the laptop to avoid damaging the connection where the plug attaches to your laptop. Laptops that have mechanical hard drives installed are more susceptible to data damage or loss due to physical damage to the device. It is recommended to use a good-quality padded bag when transporting a laptop. You can protect your data by always having a second copy of important data stored on a second device or storage location.
Screens and hinges are two laptop parts that are commonly damaged. There are a few things that users can do to avoid potential damage to these areas. When opening and closing your laptop lid you want to avoid putting tension on potential stress points on your device. To do this it is recommended that you use the center of the computer to open and close the lid without putting any pressure on the outside edges of the laptop at all. To open the laptop, use one hand to hold the bottom half of the laptop down while using the other hand to gently open the lid from the center of the device. If you are not moving your laptop away from your desk and are not concerned with pets, small children, or liquid spills you can leave your laptop open even if you shut it down between uses. Laptop screens can be damaged and easily broken. Ensure that nothing is left inside your laptop before closing the lid. Avoid placing anything on top of your
laptop screen when the laptop lid is closed. Laptop screens cannot be repaired if they are damaged, the screen will need to be replaced with a compatible screen.
Laptop battery capacity and life expectancy can vary greatly depending on how you use your device. Some laptops have features that enable you to preserve battery life by turning on battery optimization features which may limit your battery life but ultimately extend the life of the battery. Users should take caution and consider disabling quick-charge battery settings when applicable. Quickly charging your battery comes with downsides which can include premature battery failure and physically expanding batteries potentially causing damage to your device.
Most devices will display the current battery life by the clock in the corner of your device screen. To extend your laptop’s battery life consider discharging your device until the battery meter reads between 30-60%. Once within the recommended range, plug your device in and let it charge back up to at least 80% (100% on devices with battery optimization features turned on). The reason you want to do this is because when your battery is constantly discharging just a tiny bit and recharging that tiny bit your battery will lose the ability to charge the cells within the battery that are no longer regularly being used. By allowing your battery to discharge and recharge your battery can use and reuse those cells and in turn, will last longer. If you choose to leave your laptop plugged in, over time the battery will hold less and less of a charge. Eventually, you will unplug your laptop, the battery will not be usable, and it will
die within a few minutes or less. Always use a surge protector with your laptop computer to avoid power surges that could damage sensitive electronic components.
Heat is a major concern on all laptops, especially among devices with dedicated graphics which typically generate a lot of heat when in use. Best practices include keeping your laptop on a flat service which will help the device to receive proper airflow on all sides of the device promoting cooling. Users should avoid using laptops on fabric surfaces such as blankets. Laptops have sensitive electronic components that can be damaged when exposed to prolonged heat. Always make sure that your laptop is left in an area with sufficient cooling and avoid leaving your device in a vehicle where temperatures can quickly rise. If your device is overheating it will lead to premature failure, should you notice that your device is not cooling properly it is recommended to have a trusted repair technician investigate the cause and attempt to remedy the issue before complete failure occurs.
If you find yourself with a laptop needing attention or if you need technology support, consider reaching out to us at Jester’s Computers. Not sure what you need? Our friendly staff will help you determine what you need and get you on the right track! Our shop is located at 5135 Fairfield Road in Fairfield or, visit us on the web at www.jesterscomputers.com.
