How to Protect Your Laptop From Damage

Higher Ground is continually impressed by the creative ways teachers and school districts are integrating technology into their curriculum. We love that students are using their laptops in innovative ways to reach new academic horizons. From elementary school through college, these students can discover unlimited knowledge from around the world in the convenience of their home or classroom. Higher Ground strives to not only protect laptops and Chromebooks but also make them more functional, accessible and easier to use anyplace, anytime.

Laptops in Academic Environments

Accidents happen, especially at school. Whether a first-grader is using a school chromebook from a cart or a high school senior is using their personal laptop, a few seconds is all it takes for an accident to happen. A tipped drink can spill onto the keyboard. Screens can crack under minimal pressure. An unprotected laptop, even in a backpack, can sustain severe damage when bumped, shaken or dropped.

Thankfully, protecting these devices is not difficult. By developing responsible habits and equipping your devices with reliable laptop protection accessories, you can prevent or reduce the chances incurring the most common damages, including:

• Broken screens
• Impact or pressure damage
• Liquid and food spills
• cracked or broken hinges
• Over-heating
• Environmental damage
• Damaged ports and cables

Don't chance damaging such a significant investment or risk losing valuable school work. Higher Ground laptop cases for students help keep your laptops and Chromebooks in great condition for years. We created this guide to teach students, parents and teachers how to take care of laptops in school, at home and everywhere in between.

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Steps to Protect a Brand New Laptop

Powering on a brand new laptop for the first time is very exciting. As technology continues to evolve, the latest and greatest features provide you with the ultimate device for learning and playing. Though you may be excited to open it up and start having fun immediately, we suggest that you first take proactive steps to protect it from any potential damage.

• Purchase insurance and warranties: Before you break open the box, you should have your device protected by insurance and warranties. Many manufacturers offer instant, limited warranties on their products. You can also choose to purchase insurance plans or extended warranties from the retailer that sells you the laptop. These coverage plans can protect your investment from accidental damage, mechanical breakdowns, software crashes and other problems that you may have limited control over. Some credit cards will automatically extend the factory warranty and even include coverage from theft and loss. Many insurance providers are providing a discount if using Higher Ground cases.
• Purchase laptop protection accessories: Warranties and insurance plans may be limited and may not cover all damages. To reduce downtime and ensure the maximum protection possible, you should purchase additional safety accessories. Keyboard covers and screen protectors will guard the two most touched areas of the machine. Cases designed to protect your Chromebook model can withstand and reduce many forms of wear and tear. Purchase one that enables you to use the device without removing the case for maximum safety and convenience.
• Purchase security: You should also consider purchasing security software to protect your computer from viruses and proactively assess risks associated with different websites, files or programs.
• Practice safe habits: Taking care of your laptop means practicing safe habits even when you aren't using it. You should never pick up the laptop by the screen or close objects between the screen and the keyboard. Don't set drinks near your computer while working. Always use a high-quality case when transporting it and store it in a space where it is safe from accidental and environmental damage.
• Restrict use: Even though you may use the computer responsibly, others may not. If more than one person will use the computer, create separate profiles that give them access only to the programs and resources they need. Restrict other users from accessing administrator files or functions.

A brand new laptop is an investment, and protecting this investment should be a top priority. Follow these steps to ensure your device remains as safe and secure as possible. If you have an older laptop, it's still a good idea to use these tips to help extend the life of the device, especially if the manufacturer warranties have expired. Of course, no matter what type of laptop or Chromebook you have, there is one potential hazard that you should always try to prevent — theft.

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Protection Against Theft

No one wants to imagine having their laptop stolen, and though it may not happen to you, it's always a smart idea to prepare for the worst-case scenario. Whether your laptop is brand new or a few years old, you should do everything you can to protect it from disappearing. Theft can happen anywhere — on the bus, in the hallway or even in the classroom. Stay aware of your surroundings wherever you bring your device and never leave it out of sight.

Hundreds of thousands of laptops are reported stolen each year. Some are stolen from parked vehicles, and others are stolen with the owner still in sight. Your computer is an expensive device that can be quickly slipped into someone else's bag when you aren't looking. Always keep your laptop with you or store it in a locked locker. If you need to leave the room, ask a trusted friend or teacher to watch your laptop for you until you get back.

Also, be aware of data theft. If your computer is left unprotected, malware, viruses or other virtual threats can steal files and sensitive information. Never download anything on your computer that you are unsure about. Only connect to secure WiFi connections, preferably those that are password protected. Use passwords that are hard to guess and never share them with others.

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How to Protect Chromebooks in Elementary School

Elementary schools build the foundation of each student's future, academically and personally. One way that students learn the importance of responsibility is through the use of school resources like books and computers. Children love using Chromebooks, but accidents happen. Help these little ones learn how to handle and care for these devices with the following tips:

• Put your laptop away when you're not using it: To keep it safe from accidents, put your laptop away when you're finished using it.
• Don't eat or drink near your laptop: Food and drinks can damage and destroy a laptop. Keep your laptop safely stored when you eat or drink.
• Don't use your laptop as a surface: Even though a closed laptop seems like a sturdy surface, it's actually very delicate. Putting objects like books or toys on top of it can crack the screen. This means that you should also not use it as a surface to write or draw on.
• Always use your laptop case: Protective laptop cases are like suits of armor for laptops. Always put your computer back in its case when you're done using it. You can even get a case that will keep your laptop safe even as you use it. There are also laptop cases for elementary school media centers and libraries that specifically cater to charging carts.

Bringing a laptop to school is a big responsibility for elementary school students. If students are assigned take-home laptops or choose to bring their own from home, it's essential that they learn how to care for it at all times. Though these devices can be used for fun and games, they cannot be treated like toys. By learning how to use and handle a laptop safely, students learn ownership and responsibility.

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How to Protect Your Laptop in Middle School

Students will need to use their laptops more frequently as their grade-level increases. Whether they're researching and writing papers at home or working on presentations in class, students will spend hours on these devices, which increases chances for damages to occur. We encourage middle school students to follow these easy steps to prevent common laptop damages and malfunctions:

• Don't carry the laptop by the screen: You should only carry the laptop when it is safely closed. Never carry it while it's open or hold it by the screen.
• Be gentle with the ports: You need to use the same care on the cords, cables and other removable devices that you do with the laptop itself. Yanking chords from their ports or trying to insert a USB device incorrectly can cause damage to the device and the computer.
• Don't visit at-risk websites: Many search engines will now warn you if a site potentially has malware or viruses. Browse the internet safely and never enter sensitive information on websites that are not secure.
• Be aware of overheating: Laptops need to breathe. If their vents are covered, they will overheat. Always use your laptop on a surface that allows it to breathe. Don't let it sit on a bed, couch or carpet while it's on. Purchase laptop cases for middle school students that offer breathability along with strength.
• Don't leave it in the car: Extreme temperatures, cold and hot, can damage the laptop. Keep it safe inside, away from direct sunlight.

Middle school is quite an adjustment in a student's life. As their academic responsibilities increase, so do their obligations at home. These new duties can be tough to juggle, which is why students could always use help managing their tasks. Help them reinforce their safe laptop habits by reminding them of the ways that these devices can be damaged.

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How to Protect Your Laptop in High School

High school is a busy time for students. They are focused on academics, preparing for college, engaging in athletics, socializing with friends and maybe working a part-time job. With so much travel from place to place, it can be easy to forget how carefully a laptop must be handled. Help them keep their devices safe and secure with these tips:

• Don't try to repair it: If the hardware or software stop working, don't try to repair it yourself. Return the device to your school and allow your administrators to solve the problem.
• Close it properly: Sliding notebooks, textbooks, headphones or pens between the screen and the keyboard is not a good idea. Closing the laptop with objects in the way can cause the screen to crack.
• Don't leave it unprotected: Laptop cases for high school students are essential. Protective laptop cases that are lightweight, easy to carry and durable provide the convenient access you need without compromising safety or security. Software security is just as critical as physical laptop security. Install and update security software on your computer and seek technical support if you believe a virus has infected it.

As high school students prepare for success in their young adult lives, their laptops will be useful resources that they will use at work, school and home. These investments must be protected to ensure that they continue performing optimally as they continue transitioning to adulthood. A reliable, high-quality protective laptop case and responsible ownership practices will help the device maintain a long lifespan.

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Steps to Protect School Laptops

Students aren't the only users responsible for keeping laptops safe and protected. Whether you are a faculty member overseeing the use of school-provided devices or a parent helping your child protect this expensive investment, there are many ways that adults can responsibly prevent these items from being damaged, stolen or misused. Here are a few tips parents, teachers and administrators can use to keep laptops and Chromebooks safe:

• Keep track of them: Always make sure every school-owned laptop or Chromebook is uniquely coded and assigned to students correctly.
• Purchase insurance plans: Accidents happen even when you're supervising laptop use within the school. It's wise to purchase a comprehensive insurance plan that will cover software and hardware damages.
• Restrict websites: Every school-owned computer should be used only for academic purposes. Create user profiles for students that limit the types of sites they can visit. You can also prevent them from downloading or installing files onto the computer.
• Maintain updated security software: After you purchase and insure each device, you must also make sure all software is regularly updated. This includes keeping security software up to date.
• Purchase protective cases: Laptop protection accessories are critical, and cases are by far the most vital tools for safety. Purchase rugged laptop bags and cases. Their construction should be durable enough to prevent damages associated with drops, bumps and pressure. Your cases need to feature coatings that repel water, dirt and other substances from damaging the computers. They should also have identification windows that allow you to track and store these devices easily.

Portable computers are great resources that can enhance the learning experience. It's crucial that teachers, administrators and parents help students care for these devices responsibly. Laptops and Chromebooks can be damaged, stolen or corrupted within seconds, which is why comprehensive protection and practicing safe habits should be a top priority.

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Chromebooks vs. Laptops — Why They Each Require Special Protection

Consider why you chose a specific laptop or Chromebook over another version. Screen size, features, cost and ease of use likely all factored into your decision. After you purchase the ideal computer, you should maximize its safety by selecting a laptop cover that can protect your investment.

Although most manufacturers produce models that are structurally reinforced, Chromebooks can be less durable than traditional laptops. These devices offer great performance for an affordable price, but they aren't built as tough as many other laptops. This also means that a traditional laptop case cannot offer adequate protection. Chromebooks need cases that protect the most vulnerable areas. These rugged Chromebook cases need to absorb drops, repel water and dirt and reduce pressure points to avoid cracking screens.

You need a cover that can provide maximum protection, no matter what device you have. You need a case that fits your computer and is easy to use. You need the ultimate protection only Higher Ground can deliver.

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Keep Your School Laptop Protected With Cases From Higher Ground

Laptops and Chromebooks enhance the learning experience. Preserve the safety and security of these devices with protective laptop cases from Higher Ground. Our protective Chromebook cases and laptop covers offer unbeatable strength, convenience and portability. For nearly 20 years, our laptop cases for kids have given schools and students affordable peace of mind. We are dedicated to providing the best protection for your two most important investments — technology and education. Browse our selection of laptop cases for schools or contact us today to learn more.