Our MacBook might be a little more than a machine. It is our working horse, entertainment station, or creative outlet.
Face it, though; although we depend on such unusually sleek machines, most of us unknowingly make mistakes that reduce their lifespan or cause unnecessary damage.
That’s the good news: nearly all of such mistakes are avoidable with a little extra care. Here is a list of the seven most common mistakes that damage our macbook and how to avoid making them.
1. Overloading the Ports
Truly, we are gadget freaks- external hard drives, USB hubs, monitors. However, this load on the ports of a MacBook might cause inconveniences.
If high-power devices are plugged into a hub without being powered off, the internal exposure circuitry may overload, leading to heat or, in some instances, possibly permanent damage.
How to Avoid It:
- Use Powered Hubs: One would get a powerful powered USB-C hub when going to connect multiple devices.
- Unplug When Idle: When not in use, remove accessories like external drives or SD cards.
- Don’t Force It: When a cable is loose, cease to connect and verify whether you are employing the correct connector or adapter.
2. Ignoring Regular Updates
Updates often seem quite tiresome, especially at times of crunch, but then skipping the updates means allowing access to hazardous bugs and root holes within macOS.
Therefore, your MacBook will remain vulnerable to major security risks as well as performance issues.
How to Avoid It:
- Set Up Automatic Updates: Go to Settings > System > Software Update, and enable automatic downloads and installations.
- Check Compatibility: Check if your important apps are compatible with the latest version of macOS, and only after that, upgrade the OS.
- Schedule Updates Wisely: Choose a time when you can put on updates without interfering with your work because you’re not actually active to complete that task.
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3. Poor Battery Management
Among the most common complaints that MacBook users have is battery problems.
Charging it around the clock, exhausting it completely, or subjecting it to extreme temperature changes will degrade it faster than it would otherwise.
How to Avoid It:
- Charge Smartly: The best healthy battery level is between 20 to 80%.
- Use Apple’s Built-in Battery Features: Go to System Settings and activate the Battery Health Management feature.
- Avoid Heat: A MacBook should not be placed in hot cars, near radiators, or under the sun directly.
4. Using the Wrong Cleaning Methods
A well-clean MacBook is a happy MacBook, while a wrong cleaning can do more harm than good.
Wrongly used chemicals, wrongly directing liquid spray onto the screen, or incorrect use of rough materials would damage the display, keyboard, and/or casing.
How to Avoid It:
- Stick to Microfiber Cloths: Use a slightly damp, lint-free microfiber cloth for cleaning.
- Avoid Harsh Cleaners: The optimal screen cleaning option is simply water or an Apple-recommended solution. Avoid glass cleaner-it is not meant for your screen.
- Be Gentle: Avoid applying much pressure on the screen or keyboard during cleaning.
5. Storing It Incorrectly
The way and where you keep your MacBook matter-a-lot; you can accrue scuff marks, dents, or internal damage.
If you put it away carelessly without a case in a bag, leave it lying uneven, or store it in a high-moisture room.
How to Avoid It:
- Use a Sleeve or Case: For extra protection against bumps and scratches, consider adding a protective sleeve or hard case.
- Choose the Right Surface: When not being used, keep your MacBook on a flat, steady surface.
- Avoid Extreme Conditions: Keep it stored away from dampness and drastic temperature changes in an absolutely dry area.
Read this: How to Keep Your Phone From Exploding: Simple Safety Tips
6. Ignoring Overheating Signs
MacBooks are tough machines that can perform multitasking but could be more sturdy.
Gaming for a long time, video editing, or using too many applications at once can really do a check on your MacBook.
Fans turning noisily or heating too much can be signs for long-term internal damage.
How to Avoid It:
- Don’t Block Air Vents: Don’t put your MacBook onto soft surfaces like beds or cushions that can block airflow.
- Monitor Temperature: Applications like iStat Menus allow you to monitor the temperature of your MacBook.
- Take Breaks: Once in a while, it is advisable to let your MacBook cool down if you are involved in some intensive task.
7. Skipping Backups
You might never think of backups in the same league as a protective measure for your MacBook, but you would simply lose if you don’t have it as a step.
The hardware can fail suddenly; an accidental event can destroy it; malware can invade at any time and destroy what you have in seconds.
How to Avoid It:
- Use Time Machine: Apple’s integrated backup method is very simple and efficient. Just connect an external drive, and let Time Machine do the work.
- Consider Cloud Storage: Cloud Services extend that additional security features outside services like iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox.
- Schedule Regular Backups: Back up your data at least once a week, if not every day.
Last Words for Macbook
Here are several ways in which you could be benefitted by taking care of your MacBook instead of running up to after a point in time when it is worthless to you. It will make your machine operate more smoothly over the years.
Such practices include taking care of your battery charge usage and cleaning or saving your device while bringing in minor changes that will make a world of difference.
After all, prevention is always better than cure (and cheaper in the end).
Have any more tricks for keeping a MacBook in prime condition? Leave them in the comments below!
