How to care for your laptop
Over the past few years, laptops have managed to conquer the market, pushing aside desktop computer models. This popularity of this type of technology is explained by many advantages. A laptop is chosen by people who value efficiency and freedom of action. It allows you to fully work outside the office or home, takes up minimal space on your desktop, makes it possible to save important documents even if there is a sudden power outage, and is much quieter than a stationary PC.
Choosing a quality laptop is only half the battle. It is necessary to properly care for the equipment, clean the keyboard in a timely manner, monitor the condition of the battery, cooling system and drives. By following these simple rules, you will significantly extend the life of the device and maintain its original appearance.
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What you need to care for your laptop
Home appliance stores offer a wide range of different products for cleaning laptop PCs. But how not to get confused in the variety of goods and what is better to buy? Using special sprays, lint-free wipes and wet wipes, you can easily clean the display and body of the device. Please note that the products must indicate that they are intended for laptops and LCD panels.
Another indispensable device is a small elastic brush equipped with a special bulb that allows you to blow through hard-to-reach places. It is used to remove dust and crumbs from the surface of the keyboard. A compact USB vacuum cleaner is quite suitable for these purposes. But before purchasing this device, check its suction capacity, otherwise you risk purchasing a device of dubious quality that will not cope with its functions.
Branded, durable and upgraded versions of a high-performance USB vacuum cleaner are quite expensive. If you want to save money, use a household vacuum cleaner to clean your laptop keyboard. However, handle the device carefully to avoid damaging the components of your laptop.
Reference! To clean drives, purchase optical discs. They are sold at any electronics store.
How to care for your laptop case
Before you begin cleaning your device, prepare it properly. Turn off the laptop, disconnect it from all wires and place the device on any flat surface, having previously covered it with a cloth. The process includes several key steps:
- Clean the lower part of the body from dirt using special napkins or a brush;
- Clean the ventilation holes from dust using a vacuum cleaner operating in suction mode;
- treat the rubber feet of the laptop with a spray and wipe them dry with a napkin or rag - this will prevent the device from sliding on the surface;
- After the work has been done, it’s time to start wiping the top cover with napkins or spray.
How to clean your keyboard
Superficial cleaning of the keyboard should be carried out at least once a month. As for deep cleaning, it is better to entrust the work to the experts, because this process involves partial or complete disassembly of the device. To get rid of dust and dirt that has accumulated on the surface of the keyboard, just do the following:
- carefully turn the laptop over; some of the crumbs will fall out at this stage;
- To remove residual debris from the surface, use a regular or USB vacuum cleaner or hair dryer;
- Using a brush equipped with a special blower, remove any dirt stuck between the keys;
- arm yourself with a special sticky substance “slime”, spread it over the keyboard, and then carefully remove it - all the remaining debris and dust will stick to the Velcro gel.
Important! If you decide to get rid of dirt on your keyboard using a hairdryer, make sure that the device is set to the “cold air” mode. This will prevent the keys from melting or deforming when exposed to high temperatures.
How to care for your display
Turn off your laptop - it’s easier to see all the streaks and streaks of dust on a dark display. Hold the monitor with your hand to avoid damaging the hinges of the laptop. Wipe the display carefully, using smooth movements, otherwise you risk damaging the matrix. Proceed as follows:
- Apply monitor cleaner to a soft cloth or use wet wipes;
- Gently wipe the display; if there are streaks or streaks left on it, repeat the procedure again.
Attention! Never spray liquid directly onto the laptop.The spray can get inside the case and damage the equipment. Turn on the device only after the display is completely dry.
Laptop battery care
Many people believe that a laptop battery requires no maintenance, but this is not true. A working battery guarantees the portability of the device, and following the rules for handling a laptop battery will extend its service life. Once every three months you need:
- Carefully remove the battery, remove dust in the battery compartment with a dry cloth;
- wipe the battery contacts;
- If it is not possible to remove dirt with a napkin, you need to use cotton wool, which you need to wrap around a needle or any other thin instrument and carefully clean all the holes.
If a laptop is used as a replacement for a stationary PC, it makes sense to completely remove the battery from it and connect the device itself to the mains. This will make the battery last longer, but remember that you should store it after charging it at least 60%.
How to care for drives
To clean disk drives, it is advisable to use optical disks that have special brushes on the surface. This is perhaps the only option for keeping slot-loading floppy disks clean. The drive that slides out of the housing can be cleaned with a lint-free cloth. This should be done carefully so as not to damage the device.
Attention! When cleaning slots, connectors, and other openings, be careful not to allow dust to get inside the case. Otherwise, the laptop will overheat, and this can lead to hardware malfunctions of the video card, processor and other components of the laptop.
General tips for laptop care
To maintain the presentable appearance and integrity of a laptop PC, it is necessary not only to promptly clean it from dust and dirt, but also to follow a number of the following rules:
- place the laptop in a visible place so as not to accidentally sit on it or step on it;
- To transport the device, purchase a bag with hard walls, so vibration and shaking will not harm the hard drive and other components of the laptop;
- Carry out preventative maintenance at least once a year - contact a service center, where they will thoroughly clean the equipment and diagnose it, and replace the thermal paste;
- you should monitor the temperature regime - the laptop is negatively affected by low and high temperatures, the maximum permissible values are from -25°C to +50°C;
- check the battery capacity with special utilities once every six months;
- The laptop lid should be closed smoothly and carefully so as not to damage the integrity of the matrix design;
- Install the device only on hard and level surfaces; do not leave it on a sofa, bed, blanket or pillows, as this may cause the laptop to overheat.
All these simple tips will extend the life of your laptop, and you won’t have to spend huge sums on equipment repairs.