How To Take Good Care of Your Laptop

Nearly 90% of college students own laptops. They're a big investment for anyone, but most college students don't have the extra funds sitting around to replace them when they break down. A few simple techniques can keep your laptop running for the whole length of your college career.

 1. ALWAYS RUN YOUR LAPTOP ON A I SMOOTH, HARD SURFACE

Though the name suggests otherwise, never set your laptop on your lap—or pillows, blankets, or other soft, uneven surfaces. These can prevent airflow to the bottom of the computer and cause overheating, one of the biggest contributors to computer failure.

2. PUT YOUR LAPTOP TO SLEEP BEFORE PUTTING IT IN YOUR BAG 

Don't drop your laptop into your backpack as soon as you close the lid. It often takes several seconds for the hard drive to shut down, and it can be damaged from bumps and movement while still running in the mean time. Just to be safe, put your computer to sleep before closing it.

3. DON'T LEAVE YOUR LAPTOP PLUGGED IN 24/7

Constantly charging your computer can degrade the battery and shorten its life. 

If you use your laptop as your desktop, make sure to unplug 2-3 times a week so the battery can get the 'exercise' it needs to stay healthy. Similarly, don't leave your computer without any battery at all for long periods of time, as this too can cause degradation. 

4. CLEAN OUT YOUR COMPUTER ONCE A YEAR 

Excessive dust build-up is one of the most common factors in compromised computer performance. Use compressed air, a vacuum, or cotton swabs to keep all openings clear year round (also works for the areas beneath the keys), then open up the case once a year to gently clean the insides (repair shops will do this for you if you're squeamish about such things). 

5.SHUT DOWN YOUR COMPUTER EVERY FEW DAYS 

Many of your computer's normal maintenance tasks revolve around your computer shutting down and starting back up, including clearing caches and short term memory and installing system updates.

For those of us who live on our laptops this is often tough to remember, but it can work wonders (especially if your machine has been behaving oddly).

6. BE PREPARED FOR THIEVES

Most people immediately turn to the police when their laptop is stolen, but even with locating software installed, it can be difficult for the police to get a warrant to reclaim the laptop.

The best solution is encrypting sensitive data. Using an open-source tool like TrueCrypt is like a safe for one's computer: a thief may get in the front door, but they can't get to the valuable goods. And though it goes without saying: never leave your laptop unattended, and lock your dorm room door even when leaving for just a few minutes.

7. BACK UP EVERYTHING 

A gigabyte of data is very cheap nowadays, so there's no excuse to not back up your files. 

And though it may seem like obvious advice, many people just don't do it. For students, the stakes are especially high as papers, notes, and projects can all be lost permanently. Buy an external hard drive from a reliable brand and back up at least once a week—you'll be safe in case of theft, crash, or spilled beer.