Did you know that the average computer is only going to last you for somewhere between 5 and 8 years? Even though some people are able to get well over a decade out of a computer, it has become increasingly rare for computers to last that long.
You can, however, increase the lifespan of a computer by taking the right steps. If you’ve been thinking to yourself, “I want to make my computer last longer,” you should learn about what some of these steps are.
You can often improve the lifespan of a computer with little to no effort on your part. It’s all about being careful when you’re using it and maintaining it as best you can.
Let’s take a look at how you can make your computer last longer than it might otherwise. It’ll help you make the most of your initial investment in your computer and save you money over the long run.
Begin by Investing in a High-Quality Computer From the Start
The first thing that you can do to improve the lifespan of a computer is buy a computer made by a reputable brand. Rather than purchasing a computer from a no-name company that you’ve never heard of before, you’ll be better off going with one from a company like Lenovo.
When you purchase a computer from a well-known company, you’ll know that it has parts that are built to last in it. You’ll also know that the parts were put into place in your computer in the right way.
If you don’t do anything else that we talk about here, you should make sure that you do this. It’ll get you off to a terrific start and automatically improve the lifespan of a computer for you.
Install Antivirus Software on Your Computer as Soon as You Buy It
Once you bring a new computer home and get it all set up, you might be tempted to jump right on it and start using it. Before you do this, though, it’s going to be very important for you to install some kind of antivirus software on your computer.
Studies have shown that about 30% of all the computers in the U.S. have viruses and/or malware on them. People often inadvertently download these things to their computers and don’t always realize it.
If your computer happens to get infected with a virus or malware, it could put your personal information in a precarious position. It could also decrease your computer’s lifespan and force you to replace it much sooner than expected.
Installing antivirus software on your computer might call for you to make a small investment. But it’ll be well worth it in the end once you see how well it works while protecting your computer.
Be Careful About What You Choose to Download on Your Computer
Whether you choose to install antivirus software on your computer or not, you’re going to have to be very careful when downloading things onto your computer. The last thing you want to do is download something that’s going to put your computer at risk of getting infected with a virus or malware.
You should be careful when downloading music and movies on your computer. You should also be careful when downloading any attachments that come along with emails that you receive.
Generally speaking, you should shy away from downloading something if you’re even the least bit suspicious of what it may be. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to downloading things onto a computer’s hard drive.
Make Sure You Update Your Computer on a Regular Basis
Most people choose to keep their computers connected to the internet at all times these days. Since it doesn’t cost them anything over and above what they’re already paying for home internet service, they’ll allow their computers to stay connected to the internet all day long.
One of the things that you’re going to notice when you do this is that your computer is going to let you know when it needs to be updated. You should take advantage of this by updating it accordingly so that you’re always running the latest programs on it.
Software developers will often release new patches for their products that are designed to keep your computer secure. You’re going to want to get them sooner rather than later so that your computer is always safe and sound.
Keep Your Computer in a Place Where It Will Always Stay Cool
Computers are known to generate quite a bit of heat when they’re turned on. And while they have fans inside of them that should cool them off, these fans aren’t always going to do the trick if you keep your computer locked up in a cabinet or even underneath a desk.
You should put your computer in a place where it’ll stay cool. Ideally, you want to leave it out on a desk or in another place where it’s going to get plenty of ventilation.
It is definitely possible for a computer to overheat, and when that happens, it’s going to lead to all kinds of complications. It could very well affect the lifespan of a computer and cause your computer to begin to fall apart on you way ahead of schedule.
Stop Dirt, Dust, and Other Debris From Getting Anywhere Near the Inside of Your Computer
The good thing about leaving a computer out in the open is that there is a pretty good chance that you won’t ever have to worry about it overheating. It’ll get all the air it could ever want and need.
But the bad thing about doing this is that it’ll leave a computer exposed to dirt, dust, and lots of other debris. And if these things are able to get inside of your computer, it could potentially cause some trouble with it.
You should get into the habit of dusting your computer off every few days so that dirt, dust, and debris aren’t able to pile up on the outside of it. You should also get into the habit of putting a cover over the top of your computer when you’re not using it to keep dirt, dust, and debris away.
By taking these simple steps, you can protect the interior of your computer and all of the parts that are inside of it. You can also keep the area surrounding your computer much cleaner than it would be otherwise.
Use a Surge Protector When Plugging In Your Computer
Do you happen to live in a place that gets a lot of bad storms? If so, you’re going to want to protect your computer from any electrical surges that might impact your home.
All it’s going to take is one of these powerful surges to knock your entire computer out. It could fry your hard drive and make it impossible for you to get access to anything on it.
The good news is that it’s very easy to stop this from happening. Simply plug your computer into a surge protector and then plug the surge protector into your electrical outlet to ensure electrical surges can’t get to your computer.
You might also want to consider unplugging your computer altogether if you know a bad storm is on the way. It’ll eliminate the chances of an electrical surge coming anywhere close to your computer.
Avoid Eating and Drinking When You’re Working On Your Computer
This seems as though it would be common sense. But you might be surprised by how many people eat and drink around their computers and put them into harm’s way.
All it takes is one minor spill to ruin your entire computer. You could break a perfectly good computer and be forced to buy a new one simply because you knocked over a glass of water onto it.
If you care about the lifespan of a computer even a little, you shouldn’t ever eat or drink around it. You should also tell other people to please stay away from your computer if they have food or drinks in their hands.
It’s only going to be a matter of time before an accident occurs if you’re constantly bringing food and drinks around your computer. It’s why you should steer clear of tempting fate by keeping them far, far away from it.
You Can Improve the Lifespan of a Computer by Following These Simple Steps
The average lifespan of a computer is going to continue to be between 5 and 8 years for the foreseeable future. But that doesn’t mean you have to accept that as your computer’s fate.
You can increase the lifespan of a computer by taking each of the steps found here. They’ll improve your computer’s chances of hanging around for longer than 8 years and allow you to get as much life as you possibly can out of it.
Want to read more informative computer-related content? Browse through all of the other articles found on our blog to get additional info on desktops, laptops, and other types of computers.