Regularly purchasing IT devices that are used in daily life can be prohibitively expensive. A desktop computer, a laptop, one or more tablets, and a smartphone are all valuable items and the costs of each can easily add up. Therefore, it’s important to assist them in lasting longer make, as it saves money in the long-term while being more environmentally friendly.
In this article, we will look at 7 easy ways to extend the life of your electronic devices to ensure they last as long as possible.
Table of Contents
1. Keep Your Electronics Clean
Cleaning your equipment regularly is an easy but highly effective way to ensure that they last as long as possible. Dust and other particles may easily choke computer keyboards and devices, causing damage and eventually failure. While desktop peripherals may eventually be replaced, replacing a laptop keyboard is significantly more difficult. Compressed air and cleaning putty are affordable and necessary for maintaining your keyboards in excellent condition.
Dust can also damage internal computer components. If enough dust collects on your CPU’s internal fans, it will struggle to maintain the appropriate temperature for performance. To address this issue, cover your computer with a dust cover while not in use.
2. Regularly Install Updates
Regular updates are designed to address inefficiencies in your devices’ software. They usually need to be installed while you’re busy, so attempt to schedule it rather than postpone it. Patches may improve software efficiency or provide virus protection. Keeping your device’s malware protection up to date might help extend its usable life.
3. Keep An Eye Out For Overheating
All devices will experience overheating from time to time, and temperature levels are rarely a cause for worry most of the time. Overworked processors, on the other hand, can easily create extra heat if you’re using a gaming computer or running many programmes at once.
High temperatures can place an enormous load on IT hardware. The temperature of a stressed desktop PC should never exceed 175°F. An overworked CPU in a laptop should never exceed the 190°F barrier.
Overcoming overheating is a simple process. The most crucial thing is to think about where you’re going to put your gadget. Place them in cool locations and never expose them to sunlight to maintain internal temperatures as low as feasible. It is also critical not to cover device vents to allow for efficient ventilation.
4. Maintain Device Batteries
The majority of laptop models’ lithium-ion batteries are meant to last 2-4 years. This is equivalent to almost 1,000 complete battery charging cycles. However, many laptop batteries have had problems much before this, mainly due to everyday wear and tear and bad practices when charging.
The good news is that you can significantly increase the life of your laptop battery with little care and attention. The most essential thing is to always use a charger that is specifically intended for your smartphone. Always use the original charger that comes with your laptop. If the charger has to be replaced, replace it with an identical model obtained straight from the manufacturer. In addition, make sure you regularly check your battery reserves. If your battery is repeatedly discharged, it will begin to discharge more quickly. Finally, avoid charging secondary devices such as phones and media players with your laptop.
If you do need to replace your battery at some point, you have the option of refurbishing it. A refurbished laptop battery is typically repaired by replacing the old cells with new ones. The cost of restoring a battery is frequently comparable to the cost of purchasing a new non-original battery. If this is the case, go ahead and refurbish it.
5. Properly Shut Down your Device
If you use your device frequently, avoid putting it on standby after a session. Sleep and standby modes might be handy on occasion, but they also reduce your device’s longevity.
If you leave your gadget plugged in and on standby, it is vulnerable to power surges. Furthermore, you are wasting energy that you do not require. Shutting down your device regularly will also improve speed by pushing your system to clean RAM.
6. Invest in a Surge Protector
Power surges can damage laptops, desktop computers, and other IT equipment. Power surges can be caused by everyday concerns such as poor wiring. Meanwhile, power outages and lightning strikes can cause surges. Whatever the source of a power outage, your equipment is vulnerable to surges once power is restored.
Surge protectors are something to think about if you want to keep your data and apps secure. Surge protectors, despite their low cost, give an important piece of mind. Make careful to disconnect your gadgets while they’re not in use for further security.
7. Use an SSD to Eliminate Moving Parts
Solid-state drives (SSDs) are currently the industry standard for IT equipment. By eliminating the moving parts included in traditional hard drives, you may anticipate quicker speeds and better performance.
SSDs are already standard in the majority of laptops. If you want to extend the life of an existing PC, consider replacing the hard drive with an SSD. They’re especially helpful if your device is experiencing severe heat or sluggish speeds.
Making the Most of Your IT Devices
It is not difficult to extend the life of IT devices when implementing the best practices listed above. Keeping your keyboards, grilles, and fans clean can help your devices run as efficiently as possible for as long as feasible. Rethinking your charging cycle strategy will also help your battery last longer. Investing in surge protectors and upgrading to solid-state drives will pay off in the long term if you want to push your IT equipment even further. You can save money by making your equipment last as long as possible. When they do need to be replaced, though, make sure you recycle them properly.
