by Brad Harding, tech guru at Crucial.com
Being one of nearly 30 million small businesses in America is no simple task. Small business owners are constantly facing pressure to compete with larger corporations and are forced to try to save money in the process.
When it comes to your business’ technology, it can be overwhelming to know whether you are using the most efficient tools and devices. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to ensure that your business’ computers are running as efficiently as possible without breaking the bank. These tech tips can help you save money while offering optimal computer performance.
1. Only power off at night.
It can be tempting to turn off your company’s computers multiple times each day in the interest of conserving energy and saving money, but doing so can cause more harm than good. While shutting a computer down once a day (at night for instance) won’t do considerable damage, any more than that can cause serious stress for the computer’s internal thermometer. The changing temperatures that result from being powered on and off over and over can force the computer’s internal hardware to contract and expand, ultimately shortening the life of the device. One way you and your team can regulate the internal temperatures of your devices is to put the computers in sleep mode when they’re not in us. Only power off when you’re finished using it for the day.
2. Upgrade your memory.
Making sure your computer has enough memory to meet your needs will not only save you time and money, but it will also lengthen your computer’s lifespan. Memory (or DRAM), is the component within your computer that provides short-term data access to run multiple applications at once. Although 2GB of RAM may have been sufficient when you first launched your business, it likely is not a sufficient amount to meet your needs today. Computer memory upgrades, which start out at around $50 apiece, can drastically improve computer speed and help lengthen the life of the overall system. When your computer has more memory, it can run more applications at once and your employees can perform tasks more efficiently.
3. Upgrade your storage.
While many people confuse memory and storage, they are not in fact the same and it is important to understand the distinctions. While memory provides short-term data access to applications and files, storage allows for long-term data access. This comes in the form of a hard drive or solid state drive (SSD), an internal flash drive that retains data even when there is no power present. Storage does not need to be as fast as memory, but there needs to be much more of it to keep your files, photos and documents in one location. The speed of your storage drive determines how quickly it is able to boot and access saved files. By replacing your computer’s memory and storage, you will notice a much faster response in your computer overall.
4. Clean and declutter your device.
When it comes to computer maintenance, dust and dirt can be your worst nightmare. Dust can get stuck in your computer’s internal fans, causing it to overheat and stall. Remove debris from your computer’s fans with canned air and keep it covered when it’s not in use to help preserve its life. You can also prevent overheating by keeping your device out of the sun and in a clean, cool room. Make sure the computer has proper airflow by removing anything directly in front of the computer’s fans. You can also add extra fans to a desktop computer or a cooling stand for a laptop.
Together, these simple tips can help lengthen the life of any computer. Performing routine maintenance on your device’s hardware and software is key to squeezing a few extra years out of the system. Considering the cost of buying a new computer, investing in a few small fixes can help you get the most out of your current device. By following these tips, you will free up some of your budget to be allocated toward what is most important–serving the customers who believe in your business.
Brad Harding, a tech guru at Crucial.com, has been dabbling in computers and technology for upwards of 10 years.
