If you want your desktop or laptop to last longer, eliminate these bad habits ASAP!
Tech does not last forever—we are aware—but your PC or laptop can serve a few years if you care for it well. However, if your computer breaks down way before you feel it should have, chances are, you are responsible for its early demise.
Guilty of destroying your desktop with poor computer habits? We are not judging you. It’s alright! Many people are unfamiliar with the best ways of caring for their tech. To make things simple, we have compiled some worst computer habits that can damage your system’s hardware, causing it to malfunction.
Every desktop or laptop collects dust and grime over time—thereby heating the components—as a result, the cooling fans have to work harder. Heat is undeniably your desktop’s mortal enemy. If your PC gets overheated often, it can minimise the hardware’s lifespan. The processor, battery and fans—all the components get warm—when running.
For desktops, there is a simple solution: clean the dust and grime every week with the help of compressed air and allow air to freely flow through your desktop. You can also take other measures to prevent dust from collecting on your computer by placing it off the ground and away from dust.
When you are done using your laptop don’t just shut the lid, that will put your device to sleep— meaning, the system remains ready to be opened up and used again. If you don't shut down your laptop, it can minimise the longevity of your device.
Shutting down will allow the device’s RAM to work effectively when you restart it again, offering a seamless multitasking experience. Restarting your laptop or PC every day after use can help solve bugs and refresh the system.
Every computer or laptop features an in-built cooling system that helps maintain an optimal temperature to enable normal functioning. These vents should not have any obstruction. Using the device on cloth surfaces like the bed or over the blankets will block the cooling vents and the heat will get trapped inside the laptop. Your laptop can overheat within 30 minutes, causing damage to the internal components such as the hard drive and the motherboard. In such cases, the fan might even break. So try to place your laptop on a flat surface like a laptop stand or desk.
Our computers and laptops draw a significant amount of power—and are vulnerable to damage caused by power surges—temporary, minor voltage surges passing through the power line. Every PC features a power supply inside that can withstand basic surge protection, but you should get a dedicated surge protector to ensure longer-lasting protection.
Your laptop’s battery might come with eight hours of life but it will not stay like that forever. Over time, batteries degrade—when your computer is new, the battery may last eight hours after full charge but some years later, it will come down to seven or six hours. You cannot prevent this decline, but you could be a contributor to rapid charge degradation. If you always wait for your laptop or computer to hit 0 percent before charging, you are destroying your system. To prolong the lifespan of the battery, you should plug your device before it is at 10 per cent.
Sometimes legitimate websites can also be infected with malware and can transfer those issues to your device, and careful browsing will not save you. In addition, you should also follow other basic security practices such as updating your software from time to time, setting up a proper password manager, or a two-step authentication software, and gaining knowledge on identifying scams.
Don't let these bad habits kill your desktop or laptop.
