Nothing in this world lasts forever, and a laptop is no exception. No matter what type of laptop you buy or how well you take care of it, it’s eventually going to become obsolete or stop working. That said, there are some strategies you can use to maximize the lifespan of a new laptop, including work laptops, gaming laptops, and everything in between. 

Applying these strategies can help you ensure you get the greatest return on your investment – and have the fewest headaches to deal with along the way.

Laptop Battery Care

One of the most important components of your laptop is the battery – the rechargeable source of electricity that allows you to keep your laptop convenient and portable. Without proper care, batteries can quickly deteriorate, eventually losing power more quickly and eventually failing to hold a charge at all.

Laptop batteries are a bit complex, and advice on how to manage them varies. Some authorities suggest that the best way to care for a laptop battery is to allow it to charge to 80 percent, then allow it to discharge to 40 percent. Keeping your laptop plugged in constantly can cause your battery to age faster, ultimately causing issues within a few years of your initial purchase.

Of course, one solution to this problem is to replace the battery of your laptop periodically; you don’t necessarily have to replace your laptop just because it no longer holds a good charge.

Laptop Performance Maximization

It’s somewhat natural for laptop performance to degrade over time, but there are ways to combat this default momentum. These strategies can help you keep your laptop in good shape to continue running smoothly for years to come:

•       Install new updates. Updates to your operating system and software can be annoying to keep up with. Also, the addition of new features can demand more resources from your laptop, potentially rendering it obsolete faster. Still, installing new updates is typically a wise move, granting you superior security and new features. Consider turning on automatic updates so you don’t have to think about it.
•       Keep it cool. A laptop needs to remain as cool as possible for its internal components to run at peak efficiency. Fortunately, your laptop likely comes with a built-in cooling system, including fans and ventilation. However, these components can get dusty and less efficient with time, so it’s your responsibility to keep them clean and effective. You should also use your laptop in a place that’s well-ventilated, so your fans can do their jobs properly.
•       Shut it down regularly. Shutting down your computer is important for several reasons, giving it a chance to install updates and consolidate files. Make sure you shut down your laptop regularly – rather than just shutting the lid and putting it into hibernate mode.
•       Keep it clean (inside and out). The cleaner your laptop is, the more efficiently it’s going to run and the fewer issues you’ll likely face with it. That means you should clean your laptop both externally and internally on a regular basis. A simple air duster and wipes can get rid of most dust build up, but you may need to tear your laptop apart and give it a more thorough cleaning at least occasionally.
•       Avoid installing too many programs. There’s nothing wrong with installing programs on the laptop you bought to run them, but with enough time, your laptop may become overburdened with programs to run. Try to remain minimalistic here, only installing what you need and uninstalling what you no longer need.
•       Improve your cybersecurity. Malware can debilitate your laptop in many ways, so improve your cybersecurity to avoid it. That means choosing strong passwords, avoiding suspicious files and websites, and remaining on the lookout for common schemes.
•       Diagnose and fix issues as they arise. Whenever your laptop has an issue, attempt to diagnose and fix it. If you don’t, it will probably accumulate more issues in the future, complicating matters further.

General Strategies to Protect a Laptop

These general strategies can also help protect your laptop from impacts and other forms of damage.

•       Transport carefully. When moving a laptop, do so carefully. Major disruptions, especially when the laptop is running and the hard drive disks are spinning, can be catastrophic. Avoid jostling or jerking the laptop and consider storing it in a cushioned, protective case if you’re moving it further than a few yards.
•       Don’t eat or drink near the laptop. If you haven’t learned your lesson on this the hard way, be careful not to eat or drink near the laptop. No matter how careful you think you are, spills are possible – and they could ruin your laptop permanently.
•       Consider using peripherals. You may also want to use a peripheral keyboard and mouse for your laptop, when convenient to do so. This will keep you from using the built-in keyboard and trackpad on the laptop, preserving their integrity for far longer.
•       Use a surge protector. A surge protector is any device designed to protect your electronics from sudden power spikes, or “surges.” If you keep your laptop plugged into a surge protector at all times, you could insulate it from calamitous damage.

If you follow these strategies consistently, your laptop will be much better protected. It may become obsolete eventually, but you should be able to get several more years out of this all-important companion device.