You might be getting a laptop instead of a desktop computer because you travel for work. Or maybe you are thinking about selling your old PC and switching to something like a MacBook because you no longer have time to play video games, and keeping a gaming PC around does not make as much sense anymore.
Regardless of the circumstances, if you get your hands on the best new laptop, there are certain things you need to know. Otherwise, it will be difficult to make the most out of your device.
Let’s take a look at some things that inexperienced laptop owners should do. And remember that the more of these things you memorize and do, the smoother your laptop experience should be.
Contents
Avoid Overcharging the Battery
The first thing to consider is how you need to be aware of potential battery problems. When purchasing a laptop, you should spend enough time researching various specifications, and that includes how much a battery should last.
Of course, if you are not careful, it will not take too long before the battery lifespan becomes lackluster, and you will need to keep tabs on the battery more. In some cases, you might need to plug the charger in at all times or even replace the current battery.
One of the causes behind this particular issue is overcharging. Some laptop owners do not check the battery bar often and leave the charger plugged in even if it is at 100 percent.
It also does not help if you are not careful with the background processes and visual effects. Too much redundant junk in the laptop’s background is not healthy for the battery.
Focus on Malware Protection
Those who get a MacBook might be reluctant to bother with antivirus software. It is true that macOS is not as prone to cybersecurity threats because it is relatively unpopular compared to Windows. Nevertheless, there is still a chance of attracting unwanted malware, viruses, ransomware, and so on.
It should be worth noting that a proper cybersecurity strategy for your laptop should be there regardless of the operating system. Failing to protect the device will result in data loss, poor performance, and potential exposure to personal information.
Get Relevant Accessories
Overall, you are fine using a laptop without accessories like a mouse. You already have a keyboard, and there is a trackpad that replaces a mouse.
Having said that, some people might find it more convenient to use a laptop with a mouse rather than a trackpad. Replacing a keyboard is not really necessary.
As for other accessories, there are quite a few decent options to consider. First, if you find it difficult to keep the drive clutter-free, get an external HDD or a USB flash stick. These two also work well with Time Machine when you want to create data backups.
A pair of wireless headphones is also worth a shout, particularly if you like to listen to music while working or have to voice-chat with others on a laptop, as the audio quality can be scuffed at times.
Minimize Overheating
Sometimes, the best you can do is to minimize overheating rather than getting rid of it permanently. Laptops tend to have lackluster hardware, and running high-end software like video editing tools might take more resources than the device can handle optimally.
Video games are another good example of how a process takes a toll on the overall system performance on a laptop, which is why gamers stick to PCs and consoles.
Now, as for the overheating problem, if the issue is apparent even if you are not running resource-heavy software, check whether there is too much dust inside the laptop. If there is, clean it.
Having a properly ventilated room is also recommended, though it might be difficult in certain scenarios, particularly if you live in a location where it gets really hot. A cooling pad could come in handy if that is the case.
Remove Bloatware
It is no secret that many laptops come with pre-installed software that is often unnecessary. Such software is referred to as bloatware, and you should take some time to get rid of it.
Doing so will free up the laptop’s storage and give you more free gigabytes for other, more important files.
Keep Tabs on Temporary Clutter
The last bit of advice is quite simple—get in the habit of removing temporary clutter that accumulates over time. Software, the operating system, and internet browsers are just a few examples of how laptops generate unnecessary junk.
Take a look at a fresh 2021 list of cleanup software if you have a MacBook. In case you use Windows as your OS, you can go with CCleaner, Avast Cleanup, or Advanced SystemCare, as these three are all solid options.
Getting a cleanup utility tool is much better than removing temporary clutter manually because it does not take as much and leaves less room for mistakes, such as deleting important system files accidentally.
