It is important to take great care of your laptop. Just some simple maintenance that requires only a few minutes can increase the life of your laptop and save you a lot of money. There are a few simple and easy steps to follow to make sure it lasts a long time.

Locking your laptop may seem a severe measure to do but this will stop anyone around you looking at what you are working on and ensures total privacy. To lock your laptop is simple and easy by pressing a few keys. First press the Windows key + L both at the same time and this will lock your laptop. To unlock simply press Ctrl + Alt + Del and enter your password you will then return back to exactly where you were.

Once a week you need to check all the vents on your laptop. This is to ensure they are clear and not blocked - be careful not to push anything into the vents. This simple procedure can be done with a can of air that can be purchased at most computer stores. Never use a laptop propped up on a pillow or sitting on the couch because this can restrict airflow.

Always check the fan is working correctly. If this doesn't work properly this could cause your laptop to overheat which can lead to problems with your memory, monitor or even the hard drive.

To prevent this and to ensure that at all times your laptop is getting proper airflow, use your laptop on a hard surface. If for example, at the breakfast bar or a desk or similar surfaces.

Always remember to turn your laptop off before putting it into laptop bag. Laptop bags are wonderful for transporting laptops but forgetting to switch them off could melt it or it could catch fire. Regarding safety measures always keep drinks away from laptops - the two do not mix.

Always avoid shocks if you are moving your laptop around. Make sure to sit it on a steady surface. If there are any small children around make sure they can't knock it to the floor. And make sure to turn it off before moving it around.

There are two enemies of the computer - humidity and dust. Humidity can cause damage to the motherboard and possible screen damage, while dust can clog fans and vents resulting in overheating. Try to keep your laptop on a desk or table at all times for safety reasons.

Remember that by following some simple guidelines and commonsense you can have your laptop for many years with very few problems. If you are unsure about anything check the website of the laptop manufacturer as they normally have software available for testing purposes.