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Upgrade Your Laptop And Extend Its Lifespan

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Whether for gaming or office use: the notebook is a popular utensil in every situation in life. Not only does it now have a lot of performance and can definitely compete with the desktop PC, it is also mobile and versatile. The only shortcoming for many: the service life. This seems limited, but does it always have to be? Find out here how you can upgrade your laptop and thus extend its life !

Upgrade Your Laptop And Extend Its Lifespan

Why you should upgrade your laptop

As a rule, it is said that a good laptop should last at least 2 years in constant use without showing a defect. Exceptions are, of course, personal mishaps such as spilling liquids on the device. However, there are now many models on the market that you will have fun with for 3 to 5 years! In order to reach or even exceed this time, it can often be useful to upgrade the laptop. There are also some factors that have a positive effect on the service life.

Basically, the rule here is that a more expensive laptop will last longer. Here you can assume that higher quality components have been installed, which in themselves have a higher life expectancy. In addition, it can be very helpful if the individual parts are not firmly soldered, but can easily be replaced in the event of a defect. Above all, the gaming laptop manufacturer Alienware became known for this principle. However, it is now being implemented by many others.

It is also good if you can remove the battery from your new laptop. This also means that you can completely spare it in network operation by expanding it. But that doesn’t mean that a completely permanently installed model doesn’t also have its advantages. Because here the risk of breaking something while doing handicrafts is very low. In addition, this often significantly minimizes the risk of damage from the ingress of liquids and dust.

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Our 8 tips: How to extend the life of your laptop

Now that we have generally shown what you can look out for when buying a laptop, we would also like to give you some tips on how you can easily improve the service life of your device. First of all, we want to make suggestions that really anyone can implement. Then we will also go into the topic of tuning laptops.

  1. Battery : Do not charge the battery all the time. If it is permanently installed, use the device between charges in battery mode (best to reconnect at 10 to 20% residual charge and fully charge). If it can be removed, only charge it when you need it and otherwise use the laptop in mains operation. Then store the battery in a cool place (around 16 to 20 ° C).
  2. Hardware : Especially with gaming laptops, the hardware may simply no longer match current games. Make sure to choose new components as possible in order to have fun with them for a long time. Alternatively, models in which the parts can be exchanged also make sense here.
  3. External components : If you connect external hardware to your notebook, this protects the built-in components.
  4. Predetermined breaking points: Some manufacturers are known to use these. Find out in advance and take a look at long-term tests.
  5. Transport : A laptop should always be transported carefully. Be careful not to squeeze it, as this will quickly damage the screen. In addition, a laptop bag is a must to keep away from a small fall or downpour.
  6. Cleaning : If possible, you should regularly remove dust from the fans and other components. Otherwise, this ensures that the notebook heats up excessively
  7. Saving electricity : Do you just need your laptop for office use at the moment? Then turn on the energy saving mode. In addition, you can often do without the keyboard lighting and turn the screen brightness down a little. In this way, you not only save the battery, but also the built-in lighting components.
  8. Temperature : Don’t let the laptop overheat. Due to the small amount of space in the housing, the components get very hot and are subject to greater wear.

Upgrading the laptop: this is how it works

Just because the notebook slows down over time or maybe even starts to jerk, it doesn’t mean that you have to get a new model. Instead, you can upgrade your laptop with a few simple steps and components and give it a new freshness.

Step 1: the basic cleaning

Before you get any new components, a thorough cleaning is the right step. Because it is not uncommon for a laptop to become slow because it is simply dusty. If a lot of dirt collects in the fan , it can no longer provide an effective air supply. On the hard drive, mainboard, etc., on the other hand, it looks like a thick winter coat: the components heat up much faster than before.

Simply unscrew the notebook to clean it. Ideally, you can vacuum the whole thing with a gentle vacuum cleaner with a brush brush head. The fan should not turn while doing this, otherwise it could be damaged. Above all, the cooling fins should be cleaned in this way.

By the way: the basic cleaning does not only have to concern the hardware . Rather, it is also important that you remove your junk data. Old documents, images and installation files that we no longer need quickly accumulate on our computer. Sort out here every now and then. It can also be very useful to set up the operating system again.

External hardware to relieve the notebook

In order to minimize wear of your components , you can also use external hardware. This then takes the load off the built-in parts and instead performs the tasks outside of the limited space of the notebook. You should decide for yourself what you really need – that is, which functions you really need. We have compiled a list of optional parts you can use to upgrade your laptop:

  • Keyboard & mouse . Probably the most famous components. In addition to reduced wear and tear, they often also have extended functions (such as the NUM block).
  • Monitor . Often gives you a larger or extended screen, which can also be very useful when gaming.
  • Hard drive . The hard drive installed in the notebook in particular quickly becomes slow. An external model keeps data ready when you need it and ensures a clean laptop (by the way: use an SSD if possible, especially if you want to start games from the hard drive).
  • Graphics card . External graphics cards bring the flagships of major brand manufacturers to your gaming notebook. Simply connected via USB, they supply it with full power – so you can also play AAA titles.
  • Fan . There are also external fans. These usually act at the same time as a kind of laptop stand and transport the hot, escaping air away.

So that you can upgrade your laptop and add the appropriate external components, it is also important that it has the appropriate connections. In the best case, this includes at least one USB 3.0 port .

What else you can do: Internal measures

In addition to the external components, there are also some measures that you can carry out internally in the device . So you can tune your laptop and get a little more performance out of it. On the one hand, this includes a new main memory. The RAM is often very tight, which means that jerking is quickly noticeable, especially with more demanding programs. Changing the main memory is particularly easy and can actually be problem-free with any notebook.

In addition, this is thermal throttling often a big problem. This phenomenon refers to the process in which the performance of a computer is reduced because the components overheat. In order to protect them and prevent damage, the performance is reduced. Unfortunately, this often occurs especially in the limited space of the laptop, because there is simply not enough cool air supply here.

However, you should upgrade your laptop so that the existing air can develop its effect accordingly . For this it can be very useful to renew the thermal paste between the CPU and the mainboard. Particularly ingenious: A paste made of liquid metal, because it conducts heat faster and achieves significantly better results.

Upgrade your laptop – no rocket science!

You have seen – even a somewhat aging laptop can experience a second spring again. With our tips and tricks, you can tease a few sparks of life out of most models . And the nice thing about it: Most of our ideas can really be implemented yourself with a little technical know-how.

Cleaning Your Pc | Dust-free For Better Performance

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Whether your own computer has become loud or just slow over time , both can just be annoying in everyday use. There is often a very simple solution to the problem: Simply clean the PC once. We’ll tell you now how it works, which tools you need and what you should pay attention to!

Cleaning Your Pc

Why, why, why – is cleaning important?

Even cleaning your own four walls can be really exhausting and annoying, believe us, we can understand that. However, it is important that you also include your computer from time to time. The dust and dirt that automatically develops over time not only look unsightly, but can also have serious consequences – even if you are not allergic.

If you never clean your computer, more and more microparticles will collect in the housing and on the components. These can stick and clog things . After a while, the fan no longer achieves optimum performance and the temperatures rise continuously. In the long run, these can even cause permanent damage to the expensive hardware. So grab the feather duster beforehand!

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When and how often do I clean my PC?

First of all: It is not possible to give a general estimate of when and how often you should clean your PC. Rather, it depends on the frequency and duration of use . If you sit at your computer every day, you will have to clean your keyboard and mouse as well as the screen more often. The inside of the case, on the other hand, usually lasts longer due to the constant fan activity than if the computer is only used occasionally.

Cleaning Your Pc

But especially the office PC , which different users best use, should be thoroughly cleaned once a month. This includes the disinfecting cleaning of the keyboard, mouse and screen. Because germs and bacteria like to collect here, which are transferred to the surfaces by the fingers or, for example, by sneezing.

It may look different for a single-use gaming PC , but we recommend that you clean the components regularly for hygienic reasons. You should also take a look inside the case about once a month. If there is visible dust, it is time for cleaning. It is best not to make your computer noticeably slower or louder in the first place. If that is the case, however, the point for action has finally been reached.

Dust off the pc, but how?

Whether as a preventive measure or for an acute occasion – if you have decided that you want to clean your PC, there are a few things to consider. Because the inner workings of your computer are particularly sensitive and do not necessarily want to come into contact with moisture. We want to deal with precisely this problem first. We’ll talk about cleaning the keyboard, mouse and screen in another post.

Aids for dust control

If you want to get rid of the annoying dust inside the housing, you can use different aids. It is important that the electrical hardware components do not come into contact with moisture , as this can quickly damage them. Instead, you can use:

  • vacuum cleaner
  • Compressed air cleaning spray
  • Hand bellows

With these instruments, however, you should always pay attention to the air pressure or the suction force . These must not be so strong that they put the fans into turbo gear. Because if the fans are overloaded, this can in turn lead to damage and then the parts must first be replaced. So always keep an eye on the turning speed.

When it comes to detailed cleaning , a brush with soft bristles can also be helpful. A toothbrush can also be used if necessary. A slightly damp cloth is also suitable for the housing itself – but again, be careful not to come into contact with electronic parts!

The first step: the rough cleaning

If you want to clean your PC, you first have to remove the coarse dust . The easiest way to do this is with a vacuum cleaner. First of all, check that your computer is really switched off. It is best to also throw the circuit breaker or take it off the power completely.

It is best to use the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner for vacuuming . This is gentler and you don’t run the risk of leaving scratches on the components. In addition, you should set the vacuum cleaner on the lowest level. Now gradually dedicate yourself to the individual parts:

  • Vacuum out the power supply unit : To do this, hold the vacuum cleaner against the housing from behind and vacuum the inside of the power supply unit.
  • Clean the housing interior : Open your PC case and suck gently (especially respect for loose screws and cable set) the bottom and side walls from.
  • The fan dust : At best, should the fan does not rotate while vacuuming. You can do this by installing a small barrier made of wire or a piece of wood.
  • Clean hardware : You can also go over your hardware (i.e. mainboard, graphics card and RAM) very carefully with very low suction power and a particularly fine brush attachment.

By the way: If some dust simply does not want to be released, the compressed air spray or the bellows are used. These stir up the stuck dust and make it easier for you to suck it in. If that’s not enough, in the next step we will explain how you can get rid of stubborn dirt.

An eye for detail: this is how PC cleaning works

Once you have removed the coarse dust, we now go into detail. Because the fine particles are often hidden in the small crevices of coolers and co. To get rid of them, it is best to remove the individual components and study them in detail.

To do this, you can use a very fine, high-quality (important so that the bristles do not fall out and remain behind) brush into the affected areas and sweep them out. It’s best to be patient, because this work can quickly become very tricky.

Did you find a particularly dusty fan or a piece of your case? Then you can also work with a soft toothbrush . You can also use some washing-up liquid and warm water to clean mechanical components. Make sure you let these parts dry out before you turn your computer back on.

What else is part of cleaning your PC

If you have cleaned your computer thoroughly, you can also take a few measures so that it does not have to be necessary again so quickly. A dust filter can help significantly here . This is usually mounted on the case fan and catches the fine dirt particles.

However, you should clean these filters regularly so that they can really serve their purpose and do not block the air supply . But since these are mechanical components, you can simply rinse them off with a little water, let them dry well and then reinstall them.

Cleaning your PC will also be easier if you minimize the areas on which dust can collect. Above all, this means getting the tangled cables under control, because the unsightly deposits tend to collect on the little helpers. Simply use zip ties to minimize the exposure to dust.

What to do if the computer stays slow

A thorough cleaning of your PC and its components can work wonders, as the settling dust can eventually lead to malfunction. It blocks the air supply, slows down components and can overheat. These are of course consequences that we want to prevent and, as described above, it is not difficult at all, it just requires a little tact and patience.

However, if you find that your PC remains slow, this can have other causes besides the pollution . At this point, thermal throttling, which we dealt with in another article, should be mentioned. This happens when the temperature transfer is no longer ideal. A feather duster doesn’t help here, but you can counteract that too.

Ios 15 Beta On Iphone: 3 Things You Must Know Before You Install

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The first public beta of iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 is here. This is the software that will be on millions of iPhones and iPads when Apple releases the final version in the fall. But you don’t have to wait that long to sign up for the iOS 15 beta and install it . Yes, this gives you an early glimpse into new features like Live Text , FaceTime on Android, and new privacy features . But when you’re on the fence, let me give you some advice: wait.

Ios 15 Beta On Iphone 3 Things You Must Know Before You Install

Yes, the installation process only takes a few taps on the screen of your iPhone. And yes, you can revert to iOS 14 anytime , but before jumping on the iOS 15 beta train there are a few important things to know – especially if you “only” have an iPhone or iPad.

This is what makes me pause: Bugs. Bad battery life. Possibly broken apps. You will experience one or more of these factors as the beta program continues. If you are looking to install iOS 15 on your primary Apple device, here are some things you need to know.

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Some iOS 15 bugs will be too much to deal with

A beta is so named because it’s not finished yet and there are bound to be problems. For example, the second beta of iOS 14.7 has an issue that results in some iPhones not recognizing the SIM card in the phone. Without a SIM card, your phone can also be an iPod Touch.

Such bugs and issues are sure to show up in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15. And even if they don’t completely stop you from using your iPhone or iPad, the bugs are still annoying and can make the difference between getting the job done and getting the job done, messaging reliably and having a paperweight.

It’s inevitable: some apps won’t work

Whenever Apple makes major changes to the operating system and the underlying APIs that developers use to create new features and services, it usually means that older developer tools are removed or how they work. Even a small change can cause an app to stop working at all.

I tested an iOS beta a few years ago and couldn’t use my bank’s app. It would open and then immediately force quit. Fortunately, the developers were able to release an update that addressed the issue, but that’s not always the case.

And just because all of your apps are working just fine during Beta 1 doesn’t mean Beta 3 won’t break them. If there are apps that you rely on on a daily basis, it’s better to wait until just before the official release before joining the beta.

The battery life almost always suffers

Even if you’re lucky enough not to have apps that won’t run in beta or missed a high profile bug like the iOS 14.7 SIM bug, almost no one is immune from the blow that battery life will take during the iOS beta -Season.

One of the last things Apple does during beta programs is tweaking the apps, features, and services for battery efficiency. Or at least that’s what it feels like. In previous beta programs, I would often look for a charger in the middle of the day, even with minimal usage. The same goes for the first beta of iOS 15. I always had to leave my phone on a charger when I was at my desk to get through the evening. The battery life always suffers.

Fortunately, Apple has released a battery case for its current generation iPhones in the past that has helped, but this year the company hasn’t released anything for the iPhone 12 range.

If you are installing the iOS 15 beta, you should carry a wall adapter and cable with you. You will need it.

My advice? Wait until August when we are usually about a month away from the official release of iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 and issues will be resolved. And that’s usually when you find that the battery life is slowly improving.

If you decide to try out iOS 15, here’s what you need to know about installing it . Participating in the beta is not a permanent decision. You can go back, but it will take some work . Be sure to check out our WWDC Roundup for an easy way to find everything else Apple announced at WWDC 21.

Three Tricks To Configure Alexa Voice Access To Your Liking

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For some years, the ‘boom’ of virtual assistants took by surprise people who saw in these tools a dream come true: electronic butlers. Thus, some such as the Google Assistant, Siri (Apple) and Alexa (Amazon) have settled in the homes of hundreds of users who use them for their most basic tasks at home.

However, being a relatively new technology, there are still many secrets and keys that several people do not know about their virtual assistants, so, in short, they end up wasting them.

Three Tricks To Configure Alexa Voice Access To Your Liking

This is the case with Alexa. Amazon’s virtual assistant has become one of the best sellers in recent months, not only because of how easy it is to use, but also because of the amount of tasks it can perform. Among the most basic are setting alarms, reading PDF files, playing music or podcasts, giving a complete weather report and even optimally organizing all the items that make up a smart home.

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Now, to enjoy these tasks, it is necessary to know how to configure this device, especially its voice access; this is a problem that Infobae will try to solve with the following configuration tricks for Alexa.

Note: Before continuing, we must clarify that Alexa is only the Amazon Echo software, so defining the hardware as ‘Alexa’ is a common mistake that many people make.

“Alexa, don’t talk”

There are situations where children can be left alone at home, and as you may know: a minor alone with a virtual assistant is not a very good combination. Children know very well how to activate electronic devices, but there are few cases in which they have knowledge of how to use them correctly. Consequently, it is very easy for a child to say “Alexa” to activate the Amazon Echo, but what they do next could go wrong.

To avoid these types of situations, the Echo has a mute button at the top of the speaker , which when activated puts the device in ‘mute’ and prevents it from being activated with your voice. In case you want to reactivate the voice response, you just have to press it again and that’s it.

Change Alexa voice

This trick (which is not so secret) is really one of the most interesting of this virtual assistant: the technology of the Echo allows you to change the voice of Alexa , but not only its tone but also the language in which it speaks, and in some countries even his accent.

1. To configure this option, just open the Alexa application on your mobile device and tap on the Plus symbol (the three lines).

2. Now you have to go to Settings and then to Device Settings

3. You will need to find the Echo device you want to configure and select the language you want it to have. Finally, click OK.

Although the changes take a few minutes to implement, rest assured that Alexa will communicate in the language of your choice.

“Bye, Alexa”

Finally, we must talk about one of the points that most worries all women who are called Alexandra or men whose name is Alexander and who, of course, have nicknames “Alexa” or “Alex”. It can be tedious that when naming them, the first thing you hear is the Echo responding to a call that no one made.

To avoid this inconvenience, it is best to choose another word to activate Alexa. Options could include: Amazon, Echo, and Computer ; that will surely be unmistakable with the names of any household members.

The change is made easily by opening the Alexa application, entering Settings , Select your Echo and finally tapping on Wake Word . There a list of words will be displayed and you just have to choose the one you want.