Your electronic devices and gadgets are probably some of the most valuable items you own, so you’ll want to ensure they last as long as possible. Often the reason that your luxury watches and appliances break down and have to be replaced is poor maintenance. By following these simple tips, you can extend the life of those timeless luxury watches or that pristine laptop you just purchased.
Get Sturdy Protective Cases
One of the simplest ways to protect personal electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops is to purchase a suitably sturdy case to house them.
The portable nature of today’s technology means that most people have experienced the dreaded cracked cell phone screen or even dents in the metalwork; these frustrating issues can impact the longevity of your devices and be costly to fix. A quality case for your gadgets, whether that’s portable speakers, or camera is critical when you travel, as they inevitably get shaken up to some degree. However, cases are also useful when storing your electronics at home, as they protect them from damaging elements such as intense light, dust, and temperature changes. Even battery powered devices such as watches have best practices to follow when storing or displaying them. When purchasing a case, make sure you choose one that is compatible with your device. Some cases may appear to fit, but not offer sufficient protection if the case wasn’t made for a specific model.
Charge Your Devices Thoughtfully
You probably don’t spend a lot of time thinking about the way you charge your devices, beyond ensuring your cell phone has enough battery life to last through the day. However, lousy charging habits can unnecessarily shorten the life of your electronics. Follow these charging guidelines to ensure you get the best out of your devices:
.Don’t let lithium-ion batteries run down to zero. Nickel-based batteries don’t tend to have this problem, but fewer devices use them these days.
.Don’t overcharge your batteries. Keeping your phone plugged in at night is fine but, as a rule, your device shouldn’t be charged for more than 12 hours at a time, as this can significantly shorten the battery’s lifespan.
.Always use the charger made for your device by the same manufacturer, rather than cheap generic knock-offs.
.When charging your device, avoid using it at the same time, as this can cause it to overheat and ultimately degrade the battery.
Use a Good Antivirus Suite
The advice to get a good antivirus suite for your computers is nothing revolutionary, but many people never get around to purchasing one or don’t update the one they have, rendering it essentially useless. An antivirus suite that includes a firewall and anti-spam capabilities protects both your files and your device, ensuring nasty malware doesn’t damage them. You should also consider installing a strong adblocker for your browsers. This prevents irritating ads and spam cookies from appearing when you don’t want them, both protecting your device and giving you a better user experience.
Find a Repair Shop Your Trust
Some gadgets and appliances need to be serviced regularly by a professional, while you will only need to take others to an expert if you have an issue that you cannot fix at home. Either way, it is crucial that you only take your device to a qualified professional that you can trust and who has the experience in the type of device you have and the brand. For instance, if you have a Rolex watch collection, ensure the repair shop you take it to is experienced in dealing with Rolexes.
Consulting review services such as Yelp or Google Reviews can be beneficial when deciding which repair shop to take your electronics to. You can also ask questions on social media pages specific to your local area.
Keep Your Electronics Cool
Heat can be extremely damaging for electronic appliances and devices of all kinds, shortening their lifespan. Fortunately, there are various steps you can take to avoid overheating, such as:
.Allow for airflow by ensuring there is sufficient space around the device. Check that air vents are not blocked; many devices have vents at the back, so be careful not to put them directly against the wall. Consider purchasing stands for electronics, such as laptops, to encourage airflow. Avoid using them directly on your lap or heat-absorbing materials such as fabric.
.Keep your room well ventilated. The ventilation systems in most electronics work by drawing in cool air from the atmosphere and expelling warm air. This pushes the room’s overall temperature up, mainly if there are multiple devices in one room. If the room is too warm, the devices cannot cool down sufficiently. This is something to be aware of, particularly during the summer or if the electronics are in a small space.
.Use cooling fans. Devices such as computers typically come with in-built fans, but you can use gadgets, such as a laptop stand with a cooling fan, to keep the temperature of your electronics down.
.Avoid stacking devices, as this only serves to increase the temperature. Instead, keep them spread out on different surfaces, such as shelves.
.Keep your devices clean. Accumulated dust and dirt in your electronics can slow down the fan and even cause it to stop, leading to overheating, so it’s essential that you clean them regularly. The best way to remove dust from electronics is to use a can of compressed air to blow it away. Unfortunately, electrical devices attract dust easily, so frequent cleaning is necessary.
.Keep your devices away from sources of heat such as direct sunlight or radiators. If they must be near a window, make sure you have blinds or curtains for sunny days.
.If your device overheats, power it down completely (something that you should try to do regularly), disconnect it from the power supply, and wait until it has cooled down before you try to use it again.
Save Money with Good Maintenance Habits
Even though most people spend a lot of money on their electronic devices, they are often not taken care of properly. Ultimately, this ends up costing you more money and stress long term. By following these simple tips, you can extend the life of your electronics and get the most out of your investment.
