Laptop Tips

Below are a list of tips that will help increase the life of your laptop and hopefully save you some money too!

• Make sure that you always use a surge protector. An electrical surge may not affect your laptop the fist time it happens, but over time it will destroy it!
   
• Don't get into a habit of leaving your laptop on the floor. Things that are left on the floor are free game for pets, small children and big feet.
   
• Never leave your laptop in a cold environment. Once it gets cold, then you bring it into a warm environment, it will build up condensation on the circuitry and cause the laptop to short itself out.
   
• Never keep your paperwork between the screen and keypad. Paper is very sharp and will eventually cut into your screen.
   
• Avoid placing your laptop on soft surfaces. This will block the air vents and overheat your system.
   
• Be sure to purchase a good quality carrying case for your laptop's protection. Dropping and bumping a laptop is common. If it is in a quality case, it usually is not a problem. Also, make sure that the case has plenty of additional storage compartments to avoid scratching your laptop.
   
• Never drink liquids when working with your laptop. If you must, then make sure that the cup or glass has a wide bottom that will not be easily overturned. Be very careful, spilling liquid into your laptop will mean almost certain replacement. That's a costly cup of coffee!
   
• Never work on your own laptop unless you are a qualified professional. Laptops are much different from desktop computers. They have very small parts that are stuffed into tight areas.

Laptop travel tips

• Make sure that you are familiar with your laptop before you depart on a trip. Ensure that you are able to connect to the Internet and that you have all of the necessary software to conduct your work.
   
• Carry your laptop in a bag designed for laptop computers. If you accidentally drop your laptop while it is in a good carrying case, you have a good chance that it will not be damaged.
   
• In hotel rooms, many of the devices (alarm clock, hair drier, television etc.) contain magnets that can damage your data. Do not store floppies or zip disks near these devices for extended periods.
   
• Use extra caution when drinking anything near your laptop computer. Avoid using small base glasses that can easily tip over. Spilling liquid into a laptop can ruin it.
   
• Never check your laptop computer as luggage on an airline, bus, etc. Always carry-on your laptop computer to avoid damage and theft. Keep your laptop in hand at all times when in public areas. Be extra careful in busy locations like airports, where many laptop computers are stolen.
   
• The x-ray machines at the airports will not damage your computer or your media. However, many people have had their computers stolen as it comes out of the conveyer belt. Be sure not to leave your computer unattended.
   
• On long trans-Pacific flights, ask to be seated at an emergency exit. Not only do you get more leg room, there is, believe it or not, a hot 110 Volt/AC outlet right in front of each exit door in the outside wall of Boeing 747s where you can plug in your notebook's A/C adapter and work/play the hours away without worrying about batteries.
   
• If you use a PC card modem, (1) always carry one as a spare even if your laptop has an internal modem, and (2) either use one with an X-jack connector or bring an extra dongle. I have heard from people who have unplugged their modems and left the dongle connected to the phone cord, either at home or in a hotel. It's near-impossible to find a dongle in a computer shop while you are on the road.
   
• Take your purchase receipt along if you're traveling to a foreign country. This way you can avoid paying import tax if a customs agent challenges you.
   
• Make sure you know the power type and the plug type requirements for the country you are traveling to. You will need to get the necessary adapters if you are going to be using your computer while plugged into a power source (other than battery power).
   
• Charge all your batteries before you leave on a trip. You never know when they'll get the next charge.

Below we have listed a link that will help you locate Cybercafe locations worldwide.

Cybercafe Search Engine : Comprehensive listing of Cybercafes worldwide.

[Top]