Making Your Computer Run Faster

Many budget laptops have become cheap enough that replacing the whole thing often makes more sense than paying for a repair, but high-end machines are typically worth maintaining for the long run. When your computer costs more than a thousand bucks, you want to make sure that you get as much life out of it as you can. That means recognizing trouble signs before they take your computer out of action.

While computers are sophisticated devices with many potential failure points, the same issues typically crop up on many laptops. These are three of the most common problems you may face even on high-end devices.

1. Touchscreen Failures

Any modern laptop with a touchscreen uses a capacitive design. This touchscreen style uses your skin's natural conductivity to complete a circuit, allowing the computer to register even very light touches. In some cases, you may not need to touch the screen at all. Physically, the digitizer, glass, and display will typically be bonded together into a single integrated unit.

Unfortunately, this design means that you'll rarely be able to replace a failing touchscreen by itself. Failures may result from connection issues, in which case reseating or replacing the internal cable might fix the problem. If this doesn't work, you'll usually need to replace the entire screen to restore your touchscreen's functionality.

2. Overheating

Computers get hot! You may already know this if you've ever felt the bottom of a laptop that's working hard, but the internal temperature is even higher. Your laptop's CPU may run at very high temperatures while under load. With modern laptop computers becoming ever smaller, the strain on their cooling systems is only increasing.

Most newer hardware includes safeties to prevent damage from overheating, but a failed fan or poorly seated heat sink can cause your computer to slow down, run poorly, or shut down. If you notice these symptoms or feel your laptop running warmer than usual, you should have a technician check it as soon as possible to avoid causing any additional damage.

3. Weak Batteries

The lithium-ion batteries found in laptops typically last for a few years, but they may progressively lose their charge as they age. Overheating or improper use can hasten their demise, however, and some laptops may even ship from the factory with faulty batteries. Many laptops rely on their battery even when plugged in, so you should always replace aging batteries to maintain peak performance.

Note that while old batteries are not dangerous, there are certain warning signs of more severe problems. If you notice any bulging on your laptop's case, touchpad, or keyboard, it may be a sign of a critical battery failure. In these cases, stop using your computer immediately and contact a computer repair technician to replace the battery as soon as possible.