Keep Your Tech Alive: Simple Tips To Extend The Life Of Your Gadgets

By Purusharth Malik

We all love our smartphones, laptops, and tablets — and we’d love to keep them around as long as possible. Replacing gadgets frequently can be expensive (and not so great for the environment). In this guide, I’ll go over practical, real-world tips to keep your tech in good shape. 

No complicated tech jargon here — just friendly advice from one gadget-lover to another. Let’s dive in!

Keep Devices Clean and Dust-Free

Dust is your gadget’s worst enemy. Over time, dust can creep into vents, ports, and crevices, causing your device to overheat or not work properly.

• Wipe down surfaces: Gently wipe your phone or laptop screen with a soft, lint-free microfiber cloth to remove smudges and fingerprints.
• Clean out the crumbs: Turn off your laptop and use a can of compressed air to blow dust out of the keyboard and vents. This prevents dirt buildup that can block airflow.
• No harsh chemicals: Don’t use window cleaner or abrasive liquids on screens — they can damage coatings. 

Regular cleaning not only keeps your tech looking shiny but also prevents dust from causing overheating or performance issues . A clean device is a happy (and longer-lasting) device!

Do Not Operate Devices Below Critical Battery Levels

Using your device often when its battery is extremely low (under 10%) can have a bad impact on its internal battery cells. 

To prevent the battery from wearing out faster, make sure to recharge your device before it gets to very low power levels, and try to avoid using it while it's charging.

Select Protective Gear Carefully

Ever dropped your phone and felt your heart skip a beat? We’ve all been there. One unlucky fall can shatter a screen or dent a laptop. That’s why investing in a good case and screen protector is totally worth it.

• Phone cases: Choose a case that provides a good grip and a bit of shock absorption. It doesn’t have to be a bulky brick.
• Screen protectors: These are like a shield for your phone’s screen. A tempered glass protector can take the scratches and cracks instead of your actual screen. 
• Laptop and tablet protection: Use a protective sleeve or bag when carrying your laptop or tablet around. It helps avoid scratches and cushions against bumps. 

Use Original Charging Accessories

When it’s time to charge up, make sure you’re using the right equipment. Cheap, no-name chargers or cables might save you money, but they can be risky for your device’s health. 

• Using the proper, high-quality charger ensures your device gets the power it needs without any weird voltage spikes or drops. In fact, the wrong charger or a poorly made one can lead to inefficient charging and even battery damage . Use the charger that came with your device (or a reputable replacement)

Avoid Overcharging and Charging to Full Capacity

• Completely charging your devices, such as Smartphones or Tablets, to full capacity or leaving them plugged in all night can gradually harm their battery. 
• For the best performance and to make your battery last longer, it's advised to keep its charge level at a maximum of 90-95%. 

Update Software Regularly

Keeping your device’s software up to date is like giving it regular health check-ups. 

• Software updates often include performance improvements and security patches that can help your gadget run smoothly and safely . 
• You’ve probably seen those annoying update notifications — don’t ignore them indefinitely! 

Maintain Sufficient Free Storage

Using a device's internal storage too much can negatively impact its speed and how well it functions. It's best to maintain at least 20% of free storage capacity.

To achieve this, regularly remove files you no longer need, delete e-mails, and uninstall applications you don't use, and leverage cloud storage services or external drives for backing up your media and documents.

By following these friendly tips, you’ll keep your tech devices running well far beyond the typical upgrade cycle. A little care goes a long way — you’ll save money, reduce e-waste, and get more value out of the gadgets you love. To recap in plain terms: keep your devices clean and cool, treat their batteries kindly, use quality accessories, update them, and handle them with care. Do that, and your phone or laptop will be your trusty sidekick for years to come. 

(The author is a Tech, Smartphones & Digital Marketing Expert)

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