Is your computer aging ungracefully? Face it, in a tough economy, not everyone has spare money floating around in large enough quantity to buy a new machine when they would like to. Here are some tips to extend the life of your present digital machine.

 

Keep it cool. Heat is the foe of al electronics, which is why so many of them come fully equipped to battle heat. Heat sinks – those rows of raised metallic spines – and fans dissipate heat from components that run the hottest. On the typical computer, that would be the CPU. Since it runs if the computer is even turned on, it never gets a break. Other parts get hot too though, such as batteries, hard disk drives, and any components located near any of these.

 

Upgrade individual components. When buying a new machine, a lot of the specifications aren’t all that much more impressive than what you’re presently using. By spending some cash on a few select hardware upgrades, your older machine can outperform newer machines. All this for a much lower cost. Look into upgrading the CPU, hard drive, and system memory.

 

Protect it from contaminants. Water is a huge no-no, so don’t let liquids of any sort get onto, or even near, your computer. Protect it and establish rituals that keep your personal hydration efforts far away from your circuitry. Dust is also evil, so be mindful if your windows are open and its incredibly breezy outside. You may wish to relocate to a room without windows.

 

Treating your computer right will extend its life. In some cases, following simple steps has added years of life.