by Kristin Schaaf

Created on: May 30, 2011

Laptops are an excellent tool for just about every individual – from the college student to the business professional, their on-the-go convenience provides instant access to the wireless world as well as necessary documents and files.

As a laptop owner, there are things you should – and shouldn’t – do to ensure the safety and protection of your laptop and get the maximum use out of your computer.

DO – Protect your laptop from damage. Purchase a quality, padded laptop bag when traveling with your laptop. This will keep your computer from being crushed or scratched. And most importantly, as much as possible, avoid drinking beverages and eating around your laptop. Spilling a drink on your computer pretty much guarantees the end of its life.

DO – Make sure to back up your files. If you were to spill your latté at the coffee shop on your laptop, you would be able to retrieve your most important documents if you were to save them to a CD, memory stick or external hard drive. Saving your most important files also frees up space on your laptop, enabling your computer to run faster.

DON’T – Expose your laptop to extreme temperatures. This can damage your laptop. Make sure to not leave it unattended in your vehicle for extended periods of time. Keep your laptop at room temperature and in a dry place.

DON’T – Leave your laptop unsecure. Make sure to have a firewall, and purchase and routinely update anti-virus and anti-spyware software to keep your computer secure. Set your computer to be password protected so that you are the only one who can access your files. Use numbers and letters for a strong password, and make sure to change it frequently. Consider encrypting your data in the event that your laptop is stolen. Some computers and programs (including Microsoft Office) have the ability to encrypt your information and keep it confidential.

DO – Be careful when downloading programs and files for your computer, which can expose your personal information and increase your risk for viruses. You will receive notification from windows or Microsoft to update regularly, which you will want to install to keep your system up-to-date and running smoothly.

DO – Ensure proper maintenance of your laptop. Consider purchasing a laptop cleaning kit to keep the screen and keyboard clean and prevent dust buildup. You can also purchase screen and keyboard protectors to keep dust and other debris from getting onto your laptop. Close the lid when the computer is not in use.

Following these user guidelines for your laptop will ensure its lasted use for your enjoyment.

Learn more about this author, Kristin Schaaf.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.