5 Ways to Spoil Your Expensive Phone, Laptop, Tablet and TV

How many smartphones have you dropped and smashed? It’s a horrible feeling to see him fall to the ground and know there’s nothing you can do.

Many years ago I put on my phone a protective screen made of tempered glass. The best part is that if you throw the phone away and the glass is broken, you just remove the tread and it’s like new. Here’s a link to a brand I’ve been using for years, ESR.

Our tools are a big investment. You have to treat your technique well to get your money’s worth. Regular maintenance is one way to stay ahead of the game. Click or click to conduct six inspections to be done now to avoid significant bill for repairs later.

Based on calls to my show, emails and questions posted on my site technical support forumhere are five common mistakes that can cost you.

1. You take too much

Do you keep your phone plugged in all the time? Apple says that if your iPhone (s) stays fully charged for long periods of time, it can affect battery health.

Manufacturers of Android phones, including Samsung, say the same thing. “Do not leave the phone connected to the charger for a long time or overnight.” Huawei says: “By keeping the battery level as close to average as possible (30% to 70%), you can effectively extend battery life.”

The official word is to keep the phone charged, but not fully charged. Make it a habit to turn off the equipment after it is fully charged.

More technological understanding: Tap or click to keep your phone’s battery in top condition.

2. You wait too long to charge your laptop

Laptop batteries have a finite number of charge-discharge cycles. If you often allow your battery to fully discharge, it affects the charge-discharge cycle and shortens its estimated life.

Your laptop battery may also lose efficiency in other ways. Let’s say you regularly charge your laptop from 30% to 50%, or about 20% every time you charge it. Well, do it five times and you will complete one battery cycle because you have charged your laptop 100%.

A good rule of thumb is to keep the battery charged at least 40% most of the time. Click here to check the battery status of your laptop.

3. You choose the cheapest option

If you have lost your charger or the USB cable is broken, refrain from the temptation to buy the cheapest replacement. A few dollars that you save on an inexpensive replacement can very likely negatively affect the performance of your device.

Manufacturers of universal chargers and cables do not want you to know that often their products do not have the proper voltage needed to work with your particular device. Why is this important? Eventually your battery may not get what it needs to fully charge the juice. What’s worse, it can reduce battery life.

Cheap chargers can also be dangerous for you. Many conventional phone chargers are less likely to meet established safety and quality guidelines than their counterparts, leading to severe bumps and burns.

Spend a little more to get a replacement charger and cable from a device manufacturer or certified third-party manufacturers. Click or click to get a reliable third-party recommendation for iPhone and Android.

4. You are careless

Today’s phones are pretty sturdy. Typically, they can withstand water, dust and a little water. But leaving the unit in a hot car or in the sun can cause serious damage. This can lead not only to battery leakage or overheating, but also to loss or damage of data.

Extremely low temperatures will also ruin your phone. Lithium-ion batteries can stop the discharge of electricity in the cold, leading to reduced battery life, display problems and even cracks in the display glass.

Repair a broken phone.

on the topic: Radio silence? How to find out if someone has blocked your calls.

5. You’re a liar

Is your technique shiny clean or covered in crumbs and stains? It’s not just about cleanliness. Dust and dirt can cause serious damage to computers, TVs and other expensive electronics.

Here are some essential tools I have on hand to maintain my devices:

• Compressed air: This is especially useful if you need to clean tight spaces and inside hard-to-reach crevices. If you don’t like wasting ordinary compressed air, try an electric vacuum cleaner.
• Isopropyl alcohol: Avoid household detergents on your electronic devices. A good rule of thumb: if you use it to clean your kitchen, it is not suitable for your computer or electronics.
• Cleaning wipes: If you don’t want to mess with alcohol or water, try a cleansing wipe. I buy them all the time.
• Distilled or purified bottled water: Tap water can leave mineral stains and stains.
• Soft fabrics: Lint-free your friend; do not use paper towels or wipes that scratch and leave particles behind. If you have 100% cotton fabric, this also works. Here is an affordable clothing package that I have purchased several times.
• Toothbrush: A soft toothbrush can be used in hard-to-reach areas and places that require easy cleaning.

If you are ready to spend the spring cleaning of your equipment, I can help you. Touch or click here to clear ports, headphones, keyboards, screens and printers.

Dirty computer keyboard
(iStock)

Bonus tip: The war in Ukraine: dangers, fraud and hacks to watch out for + your calls

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Check out my “Kim Team Explains” podcast at Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotifyor your favorite podcast player.

Listen to podcasts here or where you get podcasts. Just find my last name “Team”.

What questions about the digital lifestyle do you have? Call Kim’s national radio show and click or click here to find it on your local radio station. You can listen or watch The Kim Commando Show on your phone, tablet, TV or computer. Either click or click here to get Kim’s free podcasts.

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Learn about all the latest technology on The Kim Commando Show, the largest weekend radio talk show in the country. Kim takes calls and gives advice on the modern digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to hacking online privacy and data. To get her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website at Komando.com.