Nowadays, gadgets like Laptops, Tablets, and Phones amongst others don’t come cheap, so it has become imperative to keep them in good shape for as long as you can.
Laptops last for about five years while tablets and phones live for a little less – about two to three years, but depending on usage and care, your gadgets can last a long time. To ensure that they do, practicing proper care is essential.
Here are five things you can do to extend the lifespan of your gadgets.
Keep It Clean
Moisture, dirt and heat are the major enemies of your gadgets. And unless they are waterproof (even when they are), it is best to keep them away from liquids and other forms of moisture and dirt.
Be careful about eating and drinking near your gadgets because spilled coffee on your keyboard can short out the motherboard and food crumbs can accumulate on the keyboard and keep it from functioning properly.
When cleaning surfaces, do not spray liquids directly onto the computer, phone, or tablet. It is best to use a microfiber cloth as it will not scratch the surface. And if you accidentally spill something onto a computer, turn your PC off quickly, remove the battery and other accessories attached and position your laptop so that the liquid can run out. Do same for other gadgets.
Use An Antivirus
Just as important as keeping the hardware clean is keeping its software running virus-free.
Install an anti-virus program in your computer to protect it from any virus attacks and check it periodically to see if it is up-to-date. Practice good habits such as checking flash drives and DVDs before opening or downloading files from them, not opening emails from unknown senders, and not visiting questionable sites.
While smartphones rarely get infected with viruses, it is possible. Dont download unknow apps or open unknown email attachments or links. Also install an anti-virus program for your phone if you think that it is susceptible to a virus attack.
Practice Proper Storage And Protection
While they are designed to resist shock, frequent bumps and jolts can still damage your gadgets’ internal components.
For your laptop, use a quality laptop bag with thick padding. And for your phone and tablet, invest in a protective case and screen protectors to keep them clean and scratch-free.
Shut down your laptop before you put it in your bag. Keeping it powered on inside an enclosed space can lead to overheating. Keep your phone, tablet and other gadgets away from extreme temperature as this can damage their battery.
Care For Your Batteries
Battery power is the life of your gadget because without it, your gadget can’t function. To keep the battery working, keep it charged 50% or more most of the time and store it well.
Charging your gadgets overnight will not make them explode. However, it can age the gadget faster when it is plugged in beyond 100% most of the time.
Extreme temperature can damage your battery and affect its performance, so it is important to use use your gadgets and store them in an area where they will not be exposed to extreme heat or cold.
Take Care Of Your Cables
Your power cord is an important part of your gadget and must be kept well at all times. Some power cables get frayed or damaged easily so it is important to wrap your cable especially when not in use.
Make sure that nobody can trip on the cord when your computer is plugged in and use only the adaptor or power cord supplied to your gadget because they are sensitive to power variations and using the incorrect cord can cause serious damage.
By following a few simple tips, you can get the most out of your computer and gadgets and enjoy them for a long time.
