Your tech is more than just a tool—it’s your daily companion for work, school, and everything in between. Just like any valuable investment, your laptop, tablet, or Chromebook needs regular care to keep it running smoothly and extend its lifespan. This February, take a little extra time to show your device some love with these simple but essential maintenance tips.
1. Keep It Clean – A Little Maintenance Goes a Long Way
Over time, dust, dirt, and grime build up on your laptop’s screen, keyboard, and ports, affecting both its performance and longevity. A regular cleaning routine can help prevent overheating, sticky keys, and even hardware malfunctions.
Tips for keeping your device spotless:
Use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe down the screen and remove fingerprints. Avoid harsh chemicals that could damage the display.
A can of compressed air works wonders for clearing out dust from your keyboard and vents, preventing overheating and sticky keys.
Disinfect high-touch areas like the keyboard and trackpad with a tech-safe cleaning solution, especially during flu season.
Keep food and drinks away from your device—accidental spills can cause serious internal damage.
2. Store It Safely – Protect It When Not in Use
Where you keep your laptop when it’s not in use can make a big difference in its lifespan. Laptops and tablets are sensitive to extreme temperatures and accidental falls, which can cause hardware issues over time.
Best practices for safe storage:
Avoid leaving your device in extreme conditions—hot / cold cars or direct sunlight can damage internal components.
Always place your laptop on a hard, flat surface instead of soft surfaces like blankets or pillows, which can block ventilation and cause overheating.
Use a protective case to prevent accidental drops and keep your device secure when traveling. A work-in case, like the Shuttle 3.0, allows you to keep your device protected while providing a stable, flat surface for your lap.
3. Update and Optimize – Keep Things Running Smoothly
Just like cars need oil changes, your laptop or Chromebook needs regular updates to function at its best. Ignoring updates can slow your device down and make it more vulnerable to security threats.
How to keep your device running like new:
Enable automatic software updates to ensure your operating system and programs are always up to date.
Clear out unnecessary files and apps that take up storage and slow down performance.
Check your device’s battery health and adjust power settings to extend battery life.
Run a security scan regularly to catch any potential issues before they become big problems.
4. Protect Your Data – Security Matters
It’s not just about protecting your device from physical damage—you also need to safeguard your personal and work data. Data loss or theft can be a nightmare, but a few proactive steps can keep your information safe.
Ways to secure your digital world:
Use strong, unique passwords for all your accounts, and consider a password manager for added security.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible to prevent unauthorized access.
Back up important files regularly using an external hard drive or cloud storage—better safe than sorry!
Be mindful of public Wi-Fi. If you must use it, connect through a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to keep your data encrypted.
5. Invest in Proper Protection – The Right Accessories Make All the Difference
Even with the best care, accidents happen. That’s why having the right protection for your device is essential. The best way to prevent drops, scratches, and damage is to invest in high-quality accessories designed to keep your tech safe.
Here are some top-rated options from Higher Ground to give your device the protection it deserves:
Shuttle 3.0 – A robust, work-in case that provides full-time protection, so your laptop stays safe even while in use.
ShockGUARD Chromebook Case – Rugged shells, built to protect and maintain higher resale value for your devices.
Datakeeper – A universal compact, all-in-one protective case that makes it easy to transport your device while keeping it safe.
Flak Jacket Plus 3.0 – A more traditional briefcase, but one of the toughest of them all!
Safe N’ Clear Backpack – Safe for student security and safer for your health, low VOC PVC (or long lasting TPU) with the only patented see-through padded welt to protect your gear.
Show Your Tech Some Love This Month and Beyond!
Your device works hard for you—show it some appreciation by keeping it clean, safe, and secure. Simple habits like regular cleaning, proper storage, software updates, data security, and investing in the right protection can extend your technology’s lifespan, maintain higher value and keep it running like new.
This February, give your tech the love it deserves with Higher Ground’s protective cases and accessories.
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