As many home users get to grips with their newly acquired Apple devices, laptops, PCs, consoles and tablets, it makes sense to try to get the best out of these items while the going’s good. Unfortunately, these devices are not for life, so while they’re still responding gleefully to your every whim, wish and command, there are a few things you can do to prevent their untimely departure to tech heaven. Many of these tips and tricks come straight out of the book of common sense which, I’ve been told, is not that common.
Speed is everything – This has been the driving force behind computing from its inception. The raw speed of your device is a combination of its processors (CPU) capability and available memory for the tasks being performed i.e. RAM. Therefore, the more tasks you perform at the same time and the larger the size of the applications you use, the slower your device becomes. Bolt is fast, but in a pair of wellies, raincoat and umbrella to match; even he would have to slow down.
Performance – Treat her like a lady and your device will maintain her performance and always be there when you need her. Treat her badly and she’s more likely to let you down. We all notice drops in performance, be it speed, heating up or screen issues etc.
Hardware performance will degrade if she can’t remain cool so avoid working in high temperatures, don’t block the vents or fans and only use the recommended charger for your device. If your laptop or PC struggles with games, consider a better graphics card. Make sure your device meets the requirements of the software and accessories you use and keep your software up to date.
Maintaining software performance is all about good housekeeping. Uninstall software you no longer need and use utilities to clean up after yourself regularly, especially if you browse the internet. Just turning your device on and loading a web browser adds a new layer of background files onto your system which accumulate and gradually slow everything down.
Security – If you only use top quality CD supplied software, don’t use anyone else’s USB drives and never use the internet or email, then there’s little chance of your device being hacked, obtaining a virus or having your personal information stolen. However, you can’t keep your lady locked away from the rest of the world all the time and everyone likes to experiment now and again, so make sure you’re protected with antivirus software and avoid dodgy websites, if possible.
Care – Keep your device as physically clean as possible and give her a service at least once year. This should be carried out by a specialist who will replenish thermal paste, clear out internal dust accumulation etc. Avoid spills and steamy environments. Cases and bags are essential to reduce everyday scratches and the impact from falls. Always remove any attached cables when moving your device.
Upgrade – Don’t be shy about proposing an upgrade to your device. This is not always possible with tablets and consoles but most PCs and laptops have upgradable components. Upgrades to processors and RAM can improve performance immensely. Changing to a solid state or SSD hard drive will make the old girl feel like new.
Backup – Always backup important photos, video and other irreplaceable information. Anything can happen at any time that may result in your data being lost forever. Don’t backup your data on the same device as this is pointless. Instead invest in a suitable external drive and or store your stuff in the clouds.
These basic but essential tips should help in keeping your device in good condition for quite a while; nonetheless the list is by no means exhaustive, hence a more thorough treatment shall be undertaken in the months ahead. Finally – if you wish to return your device back to its original state; make sure all your files are backed up, reinstall your operating system and voila! She’ll feel just like she did the first time you met. Well almost.
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