The modern computer is a marvel, but they can be quite the investment. It stands to reason that when you purchase new hardware—whether it be for yourself or your business—that you should want it to last as long as possible. For this week’s tip, we wanted to go through five things you can do to protect your computer from wear and tear. 

#1 - Keep Your Hardware and Software Updated (All of It)

It may surprise you that some people have been using the same general hardware for almost a decade. This is because they have conscientiously kept everything updated. Sure, most people using older hardware have upgraded away from the old hard disk drive (HDD) to a solid-state drive (SSD) and upgraded the RAM, but most of the other maintenance functions have to do with keeping software regularly updated that allows for smoother program performance and less strain on the components of their system.

#2 - Keep Your Hardware Clean

This is a big one. How many people do you know who complain that they needed to get a new computer, and didn't treat their hardware very well? You have to remember that even though many people have a tendency to take them for granted, computers are machines with very intricate parts that demand a clean environment to work optimally. This doesn’t just mean keeping dust out of the fan or not spilling coffee on the keyboard (although these are important), it means doing regular file maintenance. Users that have a high percentage of their local storage used up will undoubtedly find that their computer will get sluggish. 

#3 - Buy Protection

One often overlooked issue people have with their computing devices is their physical wellbeing. There are plenty of accessories that are developed to help your devices last longer. If you use a laptop, a padded carrying case is a must, as it keeps the components of the computer from jostling around. If you use a desktop, having it plugged into a surge protector is essential and also gives your desk more outlets to plug devices into. Of course, mobile devices have all manner of cases designed to keep them in one piece. 

#4 - Keep Your Antivirus Running

One really important tip is to frequently run your virus scan, or at the very least set it to run while you are away from your device. Today, there are millions of issues that any computer can run into online and one of the best ways to identify and remove potential malware is with a high-quality virus scan. Businesses should have a centralized antivirus that protects every device on the network.

#5 - Don’t Treat it Like a Light Switch

Your computer isn’t a light switch. Sure, you might want to turn it off when you aren’t using it to save power costs or conserve battery life, but continuously turning it off and on actually stresses the components by changing the temperature inside the device and essentially shocking delicate components with a surge of electricity. Remember, computer components are physical tools and as such expand and contract when they heat up and cool down, respectively. Ask yourself, would you rather pay a few more dollars a month for electricity or $1,000 for a new computer? Limiting the stress on the system can help you from having to invest in new hardware prematurely. 

These tips may seem like common sense, but you would be amazed how many people forgo basic maintenance and end up paying the price. At Data Net, we keep California businesses’ IT running smoothly and preach the benefit of practices just like these. Give us a call at (760) 466-1200 to talk to one of our consultants about your company’s IT support and procurement needs.