Contents
Laptops and smartphones have become irreplaceable in student life. Whatever their price, they provide access to a well of infinite knowledge. Students can use them to get help with college physics, learn new languages, or sign up for educational courses. All sorts of valuable academic help platforms are available through the medium of technology. That’s why they should be very careful with these devices.
Smartphones and laptops won’t last long without proper care. It doesn’t mean that devices have to be completely destroyed. Having one of the components malfunction or damaged will do the job. In the worst case, students spend considerable cash on replacements and repairs. This can be avoided with a little time and effort.
Smartphone Maintenance
Buy A Durable Case
Modern smartphones aren’t the most sturdy devices. They can break from falling out of a jeans pocket. This can result in both screen and body getting shattered. These components will have to be replaced if there are spare parts available. Sometimes buying a new phone is the only option.
This is not a problem if the phone is fit into a protective case. There are many case models that offer different levels of protection. For example, if you spend a lot of time outdoors it’s best to buy a case with a sturdier frame. In most cases, a simple sleeve will do a fine job.
Students who choose a clip-on case have to check the size of its lip. If it is too thin, the phone can be damaged if it lands on the screen.
Protect The Screen
While cases provide enough protection, screens can shatter if they are thin enough. That’s why students should buy themselves a screen protector. It will keep this part of the phone safe from drops and make it harder to scratch.
Students should buy protectors for specific phone models. The product also has to be easily applicable to the screen. That’s why you should read a couple of reviews before selecting the right screen protector.
Maintain Battery Performance
The battery is one of the most important components that keep a phone running. Students should know how to take care of them. Whatever the model, most of them will include the following points:
- Don’t run apps and functions not currently in use (e.g. Bluetooth, WiFi, etc)
- It’s a good practice to occasionally discharge the phone completely
- Charge the battery before the charge runs out
- Restart the phone once in a while
- Don’t let the battery overheat
Stick to these recommendations and the phone will serve longer and more efficiently. It’s important as most models don’t have removable batteries.
Manage Your Apps
Almost all smartphones are sold with pre-installed apps. Most of them are of no use to students. Apps that aren’t used, but still run in the background, take a toll on battery life. That’s why students should uninstall or disable any unnecessary software.
Important apps should be set for automatic updates. Developers regularly release new versions of the software. These contain new features, resource optimization, and protection against malware.
Laptop Maintenance
Buy A Proper Bag
Chances are that you carry a laptop everywhere. If that’s the case, buy a good bag with sturdy padding and handles. The first feature absorbs any shock to the laptop, while the second keeps it from falling out of hands. A bag should also be water-resistant with strong stitching.
You should select a carrier that reflects your lifestyle. It may be enough for students to use a toad bag or a backpack. Find a bag with several compartments and pockets. That way the laptop will be carried separately from other things. The computer won’t get scratched by keys, pens, or other objects.
Regularly Update The Antivirus
Having the latest antivirus version is important for laptop health. This updates signature files that identify threats to the computer. Regular updates also affect the scan engine that stores the files. Next time you perform a scan, it will be less likely to falsely detect viruses and will finish faster.
A couple of programs know how to find operating system flaws. But, this feature is mostly unnecessary for devices running on Windows. The system updater checks for problems and installs necessary patches on its own.
Aside from the antivirus, don’t forget about installing the latest app versions. Regular updates ensure the software has fewer security breaches, bugs, and errors.
Take Care Of The Battery
No laptop battery lasts forever. But, there are several practices that postpone its deterioration. While keeping it plugged in may seem the most logical, it does more harm than good. Especially if it’s a lithium-polymer battery. Experts recommend unplugging the computer at 80% level and letting it discharge to 40%.
This trick makes batteries last 4 times longer. Students should also keep the battery cool. They will eventually degrade with time. Extreme heat accelerates this process by having cells bubble and expand. The device shouldn’t be placed on anything that conserves heat. There should be enough room for ventilation to work properly.
Turn It Off Occasionally
Of course, you can keep the computer in Sleep Mode or Hibernation instead of turning it off each time. But, this can harm the laptop in the long run. The computer stays powered which is not good news for battery health. That’s why shutting the device completely is the better option. For example, you can turn it off at night.
Occasionally turning off the laptop will benefit its performance. Windows and other operating systems work better after rebooting. Some of the apps may not work well after the computer comes out of sleep mode. It also allows other pieces of hardware to reset.
In Conclusion
Owning a device requires responsibility and care. Be sure to follow these recommendations to a point. They will help spend years without replacing parts or opting for new models of laptops and phones. This will save time and money that would otherwise have to be spent on maintenance.