Signal Winter 2021 Newsletter

www.alliancecom.net 15 Other Reasons to Buy a New One Even if your laptop seems to be working OK most of the time, there are other factors to consider when deciding whether or not to replace it: • It doesn’t meet the minimum system released by Microsoft for its latest iteration of Windows. • It cannot accept all software updates, leaving you more vulnerable to hackers, viruses, and malware. • It’s bulky in size and you’d like some- thing easier and more convenient to carry around. • You’re starting a new job or phase of your life and want a new laptop to go with it. Remember, it’s much better to plan ahead and thoroughly research your next laptop than wait until your current one dies com- pletely and have to scramble to replace it. Also, make sure you regularly back up your data to the cloud or to an external storage device so your data will be ready to transfer to your new laptop when you get one. How to Extend the Life of Your New Laptop Once you take that bright and shiny replacement laptop out of the box— hopefully you’ve chosen a high-quality one  —there are several steps you can take to help it last as long as possible: • Keep it clean. Dust and clean out your laptop regularly so the fans and cool- ing systems don’t overwork. • Keep it cool. There’s a reason why computer labs are always so cold. Machines that are kept cool will last longer, so be mindful of temperatures whenever you’re using your laptop. • Keep your data in the cloud. This helps to free up space for different processes and games. What else is great for a new laptop? A super-fast and reliable internet connection for your home! Talk to your local Internet Service Provider about the speeds available in your area. 4 Things to Do With Your Old Laptop Don’t stick your old laptop in the base- ment to gather dust. Put it to good use in one of these four ways. (Just be sure to protect your privacy by removing all the personal data off the laptop before you hand it over.) 1. Sell it. There’s a market for used devices, so you may be able to make some money. Check out sites includ- ing Craigslist, Decluttr, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Letgo, OfferUp, and Swappa. Online marketplaces make it easy to list items by offering step-by- step instructions. 2. Recycle it. Some local govern- ments and schools collect e-waste. If your city doesn’t have an electron- ics recycling program, look into Dell Reconnect. It’s a partnership with Goodwill® that provides free and re- sponsible computer recycling at over 2,000 Goodwill locations in the U.S. 3. Donate it. A used computer is a valuable tool for a family without the resources to buy one. If you’d like to contribute a laptop to a family in need, the National Cristina Foundation (cristina. org) can help make that happen. 4. Gift it. Do you have a child or older relative that needs a basic computer? Give them your old one and every- body’s happy.