10 Tips for a Healthy Laptop

My MacBook Pro was expensive – worth every penny, but expensive. So, naturally, I want my beloved to last as long as possible; that’s why I was especially intrigued by this interesting article on Mashable.com. I’m going to share their tips (and some from the RE Technology IT/development team) for keeping your laptop healthy.

1) Keep it clean – using proper cleaning products.  If you want it to last, your laptop needs to be a clean machine. But, don’t go overboard and use harsh cleaning products. Avoid using all-purpose household cleaners, or anything that contains acetone, ammonia, or alcohol.

2) Shut it down properly. If you just close your laptop, you’re not actually shutting it down properly.  All software programs, including your operating system need to be rebooted (restarted) from time to time. Doing this daily is a good practice to keep your computer running at peek performance.

3) Protect it with a case. Bumps and drops are inevitable. You can protect your computer from much (although certainly not all) of the damage caused by these accidents with a case. Cases also create personality, so be creative when you choose yours.

4) Clean up spills immediately. If you spill something on your computer, dry it up right away. I also purchased a plastic cover to protect the keyboard area of my laptop as this prevents spills from getting underneath the keys. Mashable recommends the “rice method” – plopping your computer in a bag of rice after a spill. If you live in a humid area like Florida, it is a good idea to dry out your computer from time to time.

5) Perform updates regularly. We’ve written about this before. It’s incredibly important to perform updates frequently. To learn more, check out: 3 Reasons to Install Software Updates (And How to Do It)

6) Don’t work with a cluttered desktop. Having too many files, etc. on your desktop can significantly reduce your computer’s performance.

7) When you install things, pay attention to the boxes you check. Often, you may be inadvertently adding other toolbars and “associated” programs. Avoiding these unwanted additions can be as simple as un-checking a box.

8) Find a decent anti-virus. Malwarebytes, WinAntiVirus, Trend Micro, and Panda are the picks of our development team. Visit those sites to give your computer a checkup.

9) Control the climate. Your laptop shouldn’t become too hot or too cold. One of the most frequent places with extreme climate is the trunk of your car – so avoid leaving your laptop there. If you must, always store it in a computer bag.

10) If you’re storing your computer for more than a few days, make sure you don’t have a full battery.  Chris Murtagh, our resident tech expert, says 50% power is ideal.

And a bonus tip to keep YOU and your laptop healthy: always back up your data.  Not sure how to do this? Our development geniuses recommend Time Machine (if you’re on a Mac) or an external hard drive (if you’re on a PC). Backing up to the cloud is also an option, although some may argue that this lacks data security.