It’s easy to take the tools we use every day for granted, especially if they provide an integral part of our lifestyle. Outside of using it each morning, you probably don’t think about your toaster unless it develops a fault, for instance. Yet of course, when we go without an appliance due to its encroaching dysfunction, we really do notice the loss.
This means that repairs or replacement are in order, and with many ‘right to repair’ laws being voted on as of late, this might not be as expensive as you imagined. Yet it’s also important to sweep your home and make sure your technological devices are cared for once in a while, if only to inspect their condition and consider how much life they may have in them.
There’s no need to throw anything out of course (some of us have VHS players under our television set, still), but it can be worth learning how to improve the longevity of these investments you’ve made.
In this post, we’ll discuss how to achieve that and more:
Cleaning & Dusting
Cleaning and dusting the devices might seem like a silly thing to do, but you’d be stunned at how well this can work. In many cases, dust can cause devices to function poorly than they otherwise might. In some cases, this can also cause the fans to block up and not work as well as they might, causing your device to run hotter than it otherwise would.
This is why cleaning and dusting is key. Using a simple neutral spray solution onto a cloth (but not making it wet), and gently brushing it over the screen and around the device can be a good first step. Don’t allow liquids into the device. In some cases, opening the device itself and blowing away the dust using compressed air can be worthwhile. Alternatively, having a professional repair shop do so can help you avoid damaging the warranty of your device.
Replacement Parts Or Repairs
If you know how to replace certain parts of your device, it might be healthy to do so. For instance, a new HDD or better yet an SSD (which is faster and has no moving parts), can be a good upgrade. Alternatively, for some it might be that applying thermal paste to the CPU can make a big difference.
Repairs may be appropriate in some circumstances, too. This will depend on your device. You may be surprised just how much value a local computer repair shop can add to your device by replacing the screen of your laptop, or by soldering parts that may have become loose. Make certain you know what you’re doing or defer to the professionals if you’re unsure.
Operational Software Resets & Defragmentation
It’s good to reset your software from time to time such as returning your phone or laptop to factory settings when required. This can help your phone properly update and start fresh, limiting the chance of issues from occurring again.
In some cases, on-board measures like defragmentation of storage can make a big difference, too. This way you can free up space on your hard drive while also ensuring its longevity increases into the future. Third-party applications are known to provide such worth.
A few worthwhile cleaning measures can also be a good way to keep your device functioning from now into the long term. If you’ve asked ‘why is my Mac so slow?’ recently - then it could be that your device is in need of attention, for its internal storage systems to be properly cleaned, and for the temporary files that might be backing up its memories to be appropriately wiped. It will make a tremendous difference to take part in this, to the point where you may be surprised how effective such an approach is.
Warranties & Insurances
It’s essential to consider the warranties and insurances involved with your device, and what they entitle you to. If you are covered, then it may mean having a full-service repair performed before that warranty lapses could be essential.
In many cases, opting for insurance even when our devices are a little old can help us schedule an upgrade or a fix where appropriate, saving us money in the long term. Even some official programs like Apple Care can be worth the money in the long run, getting you back up to speed as quickly as possible.
With this advice, you’re certain to take better care of your home apliances and devices going forward.
