Shutdown (rather than restart) your device at least once a week.
- This allows the device to clear out any junk that has accumulated, and install any updates for things running in the background you may not even know about
- This means really shutting it down. Not just closing the cover, or pushing the button that turns off the screen.
- On windows devices such as Surface Pros, go to the menu and select “Shutdown”
- On a Chromebook click the clock, and click the power button at the top of the menu then click “sign off and shut down”
- On an iPad, press and hold the power button on the top right until the “slide to power off” icon appears and slide it to power off
This is true for your personal devices too! Cell phones, TVs, game consoles, etc.
Keep the battery charged above 20%
- Old advice about discharging your device to 0% and recharging for battery health is just that: old advice for older style batteries. Batteries in devices now will function better for longer if they maintain a high level of charge and dip below 20% charge as rarely as possible.
- Keeping your device plugged in when it is at 100% doesn’t harm your battery. Newer batteries are smart and know to stop charging.
Keep your device CLEAN!
Chromebooks
- Never spray cleaner directly on a device!
- DO NOT USE HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS.
- Clean screen with a slightly damp, lint free cloth.
- Clean keyboard with a damp rag or canned air.
iPads
- Never spray cleaner directly on a device!
- DO NOT USE HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS.
- Clean screen with a slightly damp, lint free cloth.
Surface Pros
- Never spray cleaner directly on a device!
- DO NOT USE HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS!
- Clean screen with a slightly damp, lint free cloth.
Keyboard
- Clean keyboard (type cover) with a vacuum cleaner, canned air or a rag slightly damp with warm, soapy water.
Keyboard acting funny?
- Put some rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip, remove the keyboard, and gently wipe the metal connections where the keyboard connects to the Surface Pro.