Those of us who need the ability to work anytime and anywhere appreciate the benefits a laptop brings. Whether traveling on business or commuting to work, the laptop computer has made life easier for many of us. Or has it?
If you have ever had a battery die just as you were about to complete a document or had evidence of your most recent meal lodged between your keys, you know that for all the conveniences a laptop brings, there are some challenges too. Here are a few hints that should help keep your laptop (and you) free from undue stress.
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Back it up. We all know how critical backups are, but few of us actually consider regular backups until it is too late. Backups are necessary for all types of computers, of course, but especially so for laptop rentals. Travel is hard on these machines and if you are away from your home or office frequently, the opportunities to back up are few. Keep some extra CDs or DVDs around to back up the really important stuff and always do a complete backup when you return home.
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Lock it up. WiFi networks are great for people who need Internet access on the road. Make sure your laptop has the proper protections in place before you connect; firewall and login passwords are essential. You can also buy tools to encrypt the data on your computer.
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Keep it charged. The major drawback of using a laptop on the road is battery drain. The most obvious solution is to carry an extra battery, but if you cannot manage that, there are ways to stretch your battery capability. Turn down the brightness on your screen. Turn off wireless networking if you are not using it. Try not to listen to music or play movies on your laptop; use a separate portable player. Avoid energy-consuming shutdowns and startups by using the Standby or Hibernate options. You will be amazed at how much power these small changes can save.
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Keep it clean. One spill of your grande latte and your laptop could get fried. There are protective covers available for laptop keyboards, some made to fit specific models and other, more generic membrane covers that fit over the entire surface of the laptop keyboard. If you do not have a cover, compressed air and cotton swabs are good for cleanups.
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Carry it right. If you are on the road a lot with your laptop, invest in a good carrying case with adequate padding. Your laptop will thank you.
