6 Bad Habits That Are Destroying Your PC

Nothing lasts forever—especially tech—but your computer can last quite a few years if you treat it well.

- Whitson Gordon

If your laptop tends to break down earlier than you feel it should, there’s a chance you’re helping it along with some especially bad habits. Here are some of the worst things you can do to a PC without even realizing you’re doing anything wrong.

LEAVING YOUR LAPTOP ON A PLUSH SURFACE (AND OTHER OVERHEATING PROBLEMS)

Heat is your computer’s mortal enemy. If your computer gets too hot, it can reduce the lifespan of the hardware inside, like your processor, fans, and battery— not to mention make your computer loud and sizzling to the touch.

For desktop computers, the solution is pretty simple: Just clean out the dust once in a while with some compressed air and keep it out of any small cabinets. You want air to flow freely through your computer, not to get trapped in a tight space. You can also prevent dust by keeping your computer off the ground and putting filters on your intake fans.

Laptops, on the other hand, require a bit more care. Their portability leads to a lot of bad habits, like putting them on blankets or other plush surfaces. This blocks airflow underneath (where the rubber feet would raise it off a desk) and potentially through the laptop (when the blanket covers the fan vents). When possible, use your laptop on a flat surface, or at least make sure your lap is free of blankets and other things that can block airflow. Lap desks are a good way to ensure things stay cool.

Other than that, the same rules apply to your laptop as your desktop: Don’t leave it in hot places (such as a car on a sunny day), and clean it out with some compressed air once in a while. If you can keep it dust-free, the components will run happily for a long time.

HANDLING YOUR LAPTOP CARELESSLY