5 Tips for Looking After Your Computers and Mobile Devices

Looking after your computers is more vital than ever if you work from home. Fortunately, it isn't as difficult as you think, and you can extend the life of your devices with these simple tips.

Memory Management and RAM

Memory is essential for computers. There are three types of memory; volatile (RAM), non-volatile (storage) and virtual. Non-volatile includes things like your SSD, HDD and USB sticks. Virtual and volatile memory is used for temporary storage to load and run programs. However, unlike storage memory, the difference is that they are wiped when not in use. RAM is necessary for better performance; the more you have, the better. But your computer will use Windows virtual memory or mac scratch disks when there isn't enough RAM.

Proper Battery Charging

If you use a laptop, then you will be well aware of the pitfalls of battery life. But most people aren't aware that there is a proper way to charge a laptop battery. It's best to never let the batter go below 40% or above 80%. However, your laptop battery can't overcharge and become damaged. Don't worry if it gets to 100% because the system knows when to stop. However, the batteries can become hot and reduce performance. So check to see if your laptop's cooling fan is working correctly. If it isn't, your computer can become overheated and damaged.

Looking After Your Computers Includes Antimalware

Computer viruses have been around for a long time. Your device can become infected through classics like the Trojan Horse and phishing. But more sophisticated scams are also used by malicious hackers, such as fake emails and unsubscribe links. The problem is so bad that over 560,000 new malware are detected every day. But you can easily protect yourself by using free or paid antimalware packages. The best free ones include AVG and Avast. But paying offers the best protection. The best-paid packages include McAfee, Norton and Malwarebytes.

Internal and External Cleaning

Of course, looking after your computers means maintaining them physically as well. PCs and laptops have fans for cooling them. But as they draw air for cooling, they also suck in anything in the air, such as dust. Dust can then build up inside and cause your computer to become slower as the parts inside run hotter. Fortunately, you can easily clean your computer by removing the case and gently removing dust with a soft-bristled brush. Make sure you ground yourself before doing this by touching the metal part of the inside of the case.

Updates and Drivers

When a program is made, it is never perfect. Over time, bugs and problems can begin to appear. And the developers fix these by letting you download patches and updates. Sometimes they fix issues, and often they add new features. They also add compatibility with hardware as well. Other types of updates are called drivers. A driver is an app that allows a piece of hardware, like a graphics card, to communicate with the operating system. Without a driver, the hardware is almost useless. So update your machine often for the best performance.

Looking after your computers is vital to get the best out of them. Some of the easiest ways include installing more memory, using antimalware protection and updating drivers.