It’s important to maximize your business's computers' life spans to reduce costs and minimize IT-related problems. Longevity, however, is only possible if your computers are used and maintained properly. If you're experiencing problems with your PCs lasting their expected life span, it may be because of bad computer habits, such as:
1. Mismanaging your battery
Laptop batteries degrade after years of usage. If a laptop originally has around eight hours of battery life, this will decrease to around four or five hours after two or three years. While battery deterioration is unavoidable, some bad habits can expedite this process.
If you completely discharge your laptop’s battery often, for example, its life span will shorten significantly. Or if you keep your battery plugged in even after it has been fully charged, the battery’s health will deteriorate more quickly because of the heat it absorbs from the laptop.
To prevent this issue, it’s best to perform shallow discharges, or partially discharging the battery and then recharging it. Once your battery reaches a certain level (e.g. 30%), you can plug your laptop into an outlet.
2. Improperly handling cables and ports
Damaged cables and ports can make it difficult for you to connect external media to your computer, so handle them properly.
One way to do this is by always checking if you’re plugging in your cable or peripherals correctly. Improperly plugging a USB flash drive into your computer, for instance, may damage the drive, port, or both. Check as well if you’re plugging into the correct port, as some ports may look similar, such as HDMI and USB Type A.
Finally, take care of your cables. Frequent bending can break their internal connections, which can render them useless. Keep cables away from pets and children who might chew through or inhale the material or small parts. And when wrapping your cables, make sure they are not coiled too tightly to avoid damaging the wires inside.
3. Allowing dirt and dust to accumulate
Computers accumulate dust and grime the more they’re used, which heats up the components and forces the fans to spin faster. While regularly cleaning your PCs can help, it's better to keep dirt out in the first place.
Do this by keeping your computers on a desk or an elevated surface. Putting them on or near the floor will make them magnets for dust, dirt, and hair, which can block airflow. Also, avoid eating or drinking near your PC. Crumbs can get into the spaces between your keyboard’s keys, which can damage it or make the keycaps difficult to press. Conductive chemicals in water or other liquids can also corrode or short-circuit computer components.
4. Disregarding electrical safety
Computers consume a significant amount of power and are susceptible to power surges, which are small, temporary voltage increases coming through the power line. These can happen after power outages, from turning on another high-power device, or because of an unreliable power grid in your area.
PCs come with some basic surge protection, but you'll get longer-lasting protection by buying a dedicated surge protector. Make sure to replace it every three to five years, as its protection wears out over time.
You might also want to get an uninterruptible power supply. This contains a battery backup that prevents your PC from losing power during a sudden electricity outage.
5. Buying into unnecessary maintenance
You may encounter free online tools like memory optimizers and RAM boosters that claim to speed up your computer in just a few clicks. These programs don’t do that, however, and may even harm your computer.
Instead of using these tools, use the ones that come with your system. Windows’ Storage Sense, for instance, deletes unnecessary files to help the system run more smoothly. If your computer is slow, you can also reset the system through the Settings app.
6. Browsing the web unprotected
Since cyberthreats are becoming more sophisticated these days, it’s not advisable for users to surf the web without protection. Make sure that you have anti-malware programs installed, as these can detect and remove malicious software on your computer. You can also use a virtual private network, which encrypts your internet connection and data transfers, so cybercriminals cannot steal your data for their own gain.
Finally, remind your employees to be cautious of every website or email that they open, use strong passwords, keep their programs updated, and avoid using pirated software.
Ensure the proper maintenance of your business’s computers when you partner with NetQuest. We will monitor your devices’ health round the clock and resolve any issues before they significantly affect your operations. If your business is in greater Baltimore, Annapolis, or Towson, get your FREE assessment today.
