Did you know that after you purchase a new computer, you can expect to have it for 3 to 5 years? That’s not a ton of time, but there are some things that you can do to make sure that your computer makes it closer to that 5-year window.
If you own a new Mac, creating a Mac maintenance plan is an absolute must. But if you don’t know tons about computers, or Macs, figuring out where to begin can be tricky.
In this article, we’ll give you 7 tips and tricks that you can use to take better care of your Mac. We’ll tell you what to do, as well as what to purchase, so you can ensure your Mac lasts for more than a few years.
Now then, let’s get started!
1. Invest in a Laptop Case for Your MacBook
If you own a MacBook, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind to better protect your computer. After all, unlike a desktop computer, you’ll be carrying your MacBook with you often. That means that there are tons of issues and concerns that you need to consider.
Our advice? Try to find a laptop case that comes with a screen protector so you can keep your computer safe. That way your entire laptop is protected, including the screen, helping you prolong the life of your computer.
2. Use a Microfiber Cloth to Clean Your Screen
No matter what kind of computer you have, when you go to clean your screen, you need to use a microfiber cloth. Failure to do so could lead to you permanently damaging your computer screen, which isn’t something you want to do.
A pro tip? Keep a few microfiber cloths on your desk or in your laptop bag. That way, if your screen gets smudged, you can clean it off safely.
3. Be Careful With Food and Liquids
If you use your computer for school or work, odds are you do quite a bit of multitasking. More specifically, you find yourself eating lunch or dinner at your desk while you continue to work on something on your computer.
While it’s okay to eat or drink while you use your Mac, you need to make sure that you’re careful when doing so. Getting food particles trapped in your keyboard can be a major issue. This is especially true if you own a laptop, as all your computer’s key components are located below your keyboard.
Liquids can be even more of an issue, as spilling your coffee, or a bottle of water, on your computer is almost always going to damage your computer beyond repair. Because of this, we recommend that you only drink using cups with lids when using your computer, to protect yourself from any spill-related issues.
4. Perform Routine Software Updates
Of course, when it comes to taking care of your Mac, you most likely have more questions about the software side of things. While there are tons of things that you can do to keep your Mac running fast and smooth, none of them are as important as performing routine updates.
Major software updates, like macOS 11 Big Sur, should be done as soon as they become available. They’ll keep your computer running the way that it did when you opened the box. It will also help protect you from any new cyber threats, which is extremely important.
Smaller software updates, for individual applications, should also be done often. If you notice an application isn’t working well, check for an update. Odds are there’s one available, and after downloading, your application will start working smoothly again.
5. Perform Routine Data Backups
No matter what you do to protect your Mac, sometimes an issue is unavoidable. And whether it’s software or hardware related, you need to make sure that you’re prepared for the absolute worst-case-scenario.
By performing routine backups, you can make sure that, if something happens to your computer, you’re protected. So, if you aren’t doing so already, be sure to perform daily backups of your most important files, just to be safe.
6. Close Out All Unused Applications
Already installed all available updates? Are you still having issues with your computer’s processing speeds? If so, make sure that you’ve closed out of all applications that you’re no longer using.
By keeping up tons of applications open at once, you make it hard for your computer to do what you’re asking it to do. So, if you’re trying to do something that takes a lot of processing power, make sure you only have one or two programs open at a time.
7. Browse the Web Safely
If you’re an avid internet user, you need to make sure that you’re browsing the web with safety in mind. Outside of keeping your computer updated, you need to also have some form of virus protection on your Mac.
On top of that, we recommend that you avoid any sites that could be harmful to your Mac. Sites that aren’t secure, in particular, should not be viewed on your Mac at all.
Looking for More Mac Maintenance Tips and Tricks?
As you can see, a lot goes into creating a Mac maintenance plan for your computer. But as long as you make sure to protect your computer from physical damage, and keep your software up to date, you should be able to enjoy your Mac for years to come.
Looking for more information on the latest technology? Check back with our blog often for everything from product reviews to helpful tutorials.
