The return-to-office call has caused many of your friends and family to commute once again to the office but not you! Your company retains its work-from-home policies, which means you can commute from your bed to the kitchen table or anywhere else your laptop fits.
If you’re like more than half (55%) of remote workers, that laptop resting on your knees isn’t company property but a personal device.
A personal device that pulls double duty plays an important role in your life. Anything that interferes with its performance can throw your personal and professional life into chaos.
Let’s avoid that, shall we? Check out these tips to protect your laptop — whether streaming a movie or editing a presentation.
Easy Tips for Laptop Safety, in and out of the Home
Are you a nomadic worker who makes an office out of a café, public park, or hotel room? If you are always on the go, you need a padded laptop bag to shield your device from the outside world.
From an ergonomic perspective, your ideal workstation is at a dedicated desk in a quiet space. But don’t get too comfortable in your office chair. Even here, your laptop may face dangers.
That cup of coffee you need to start the day? One wrong move can knock over your mug, spilling pipping hot coffee on your keyboard. Like a smartphone, your laptop doesn’t do well when exposed to liquid.
To ensure a spill doesn’t bring your workday to a halt, invest in a keyboard cover. This plastic shield can keep spills and crumbs out of your keyboard and the motherboard below. You should also consider spill-resistant water bottles and a silicon drinking lid for your mugs.
At home or abroad, virtual threats will follow wherever you work. Any remote worker needs capable antivirus and firewall software to prevent malware from damaging your laptop.
What if Damage Happens Anyway?
Accidents can still happen, despite your best intentions to avoid them. Don’t panic if you knock over your coffee before your lids arrive. Acting quickly may save your laptop from damage.
Blot any standing liquid on your keyboard with a microfiber cloth. Once there’s no coffee sitting on the surface of your laptop, turn it off. Next, flip it over and let it air dry. Resting it upside down lets gravity work for you, encouraging liquid to drip away from the delicate electronics.
If your laptop won’t turn on after 24 hours, visit your nearest repair shop and explain your issue.
Managing the Financial Fallout
A repair professional might be able to restore your laptop to its original condition. But severe liquid damage can fry electronics, so there’s a chance you have to buy a new laptop.
You can appeal to your workplace to see if they’re willing to finance your replacement. But given this is your personal device, they will probably deny this request.
Repair or outright replacement — either option is expensive. If you don’t have an emergency fund capable of this unexpected expense, you might qualify for a personal loan. You can find convenient, flexible, and short term personal loans online that work well under the pressure of an emergency. If approved, you can receive your funds swiftly in an account of your choice.
Finding an online short term loan helps you get back to work faster, so you don’t have to waste personal days or, worse, lose wages.
Keep this in mind as long as you use a personal laptop for work. Your best bet is to prevent damage. But if that’s impossible, you have options.
No comments yet