Buzz
Laptops (or notebooks) have become more powerful than ever, making them ideal tools for work, especially when you're on the move, alongside smartphones and desktop computers. If you're new to using a laptop or have to use someone else's, you may feel a bit lost. Don’t worry; you can follow the steps below to get comfortable with any laptop, and soon you’ll be using it like a pro.
Steps
Set Up Your Laptop
If you're at home, it’s best to plug in your laptop to use it. Laptops can drain their battery quickly, especially when multitasking. Unless you're on the go or outdoors, it’s a good idea to keep your laptop plugged in when possible to avoid running out of power.
Place your laptop on a flat surface, ideally in front of you if you’re sitting. Laptops are called "laptops" because they can be used on your lap, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best position for comfort. You should choose an angle where your hands and wrists feel at ease – adjust the laptop until you find the most comfortable position.
- Avoid placing your laptop on soft, uneven, or rough surfaces as it could block the ventilation vents. Most laptops have cooling fans located on the sides or underneath, and these areas need to stay clear for proper functioning.
Lift the screen until it’s at a comfortable viewing angle. Most laptops have a latch or hinge that allows you to open the screen.
- If the laptop’s screen won’t open, don’t force it! You might need to replace the hinge instead of attempting to bend the screen.
- Don’t open the screen beyond its limit. A 45-degree angle is usually ideal for most laptops. If opened too far, the screen or hinge could break.
Find the power button and turn the laptop on. On most laptops, the power button is located above the keyboard. The power button is often marked with the universal 'power on' symbol: a circle with a line through the top of it.
Wait for the laptop to boot up. Laptops are designed for portability and are equipped with specialized hard drives that take longer to start up compared to desktop computers and smartphones.
Use the laptop’s input device. On most laptops, the flat touch-sensitive area is called the trackpad, which lets you control the cursor with your fingers. Simply swipe your finger across the trackpad to move the cursor.
- Multi-touch trackpads – these allow more gestures and controls than single-touch ones. You can try moving one, two, or three fingers across the trackpad and experiment with different 'gestures' or actions.
- Lenovo laptops often feature a red button between the 'G' and 'H' keys called the "trackpoint", which functions like a highly sensitive joystick.
- Some older laptops include a trackball, where rotating the ball moves the cursor.
- Some laptops come with a stylus. With this, you can move the cursor by drawing on the screen and pressing the stylus on the screen to click.
- If the trackpad feels too small or difficult to use, you can plug in an external mouse. Simply find the USB port on your laptop and connect the mouse’s cable or receiver. The laptop will recognize the device and set it up automatically.
Use the left side of the trackpad as the left mouse button. On most trackpads, you can click by pressing the button located at the bottom left of the touchpad.
- Some trackpads also allow you to lightly tap the surface to click. Give it a try—you may discover additional features that you didn't know about before.
Use the right side of the trackpad as the right mouse button. You can open the "context menu" or "right-click" by pressing the button at the bottom right of the touchpad.
Locate the optical drive on your laptop. If your laptop isn’t a 'netbook' (a compact, ultra-portable machine), it will likely have an optical drive for software installation or media playback. The optical drive is typically located on the right or left side of the laptop’s frame.
- On Windows and Mac OS laptops, you can open the optical drive by pressing a small button on the disk tray or by right-clicking the optical drive icon on the operating system and selecting "Eject".
Install Software
Regularly update your laptop’s software. Laptops often come with basic software like word processors, calculators, and simple photo-sharing tools. Additionally, there’s specialized software for power management and graphics, which requires frequent driver updates for smooth performance. Installing software is simple, and with the right steps, you can enhance your laptop’s capabilities (most of the time for free).
- If you’re using a Windows-based laptop, you’ll need to keep your Windows version up to date. Windows laptops usually use Windows Update or the manufacturer’s software to update Windows.
- For Mac laptops, use the integrated upgrade option in MacOS. You can easily find this feature on your Mac laptop.
Install office software. The built-in accessibility software on your laptop may meet basic needs for writing or note-taking, but if you're using it for study or professional work, you'll need a more complete suite of software.
- Similar to Microsoft Word, the free OpenOffice software can handle word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations.
- Google Docs is an online alternative to traditional office tools. As a cloud-based office suite, it offers many features similar to OpenOffice and Microsoft Office. This free software is particularly useful if you need to share documents with others.
- If you're a student or teacher, you can download Microsoft Office for free or at a discounted price. Be sure to check this before purchasing a retail version of the software.
Install photo editing software to organize, edit, and share images. Many laptops come with basic photo editing software pre-installed. These programs can usually be upgraded quickly and easily (sometimes for free).
- If you own an iPhone or a Mac laptop, you can set up Photo Stream to organize and share your images.
- Consider using Picasa, a Google product, to organize and share photos. Picasa provides a range of basic tools for image manipulation such as cropping, editing, adjusting colors, and creating panoramic images.
Connect to the internet with your laptop
If your home lacks internet, the first thing to do is set up a network. While a laptop is a powerful mobile device, it can't reach its full potential without an internet connection. Typically, laptops come pre-installed with software that makes network access easy.
Most laptops feature an Ethernet port on the side or back. Once you connect an Ethernet cable from your router or modem to this port, your laptop will automatically recognize the connection.
For Mac laptops, use the Mac OS operating system to connect your laptop to the Internet. You can find online resources that explain how to connect your Mac laptop via Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi.
On Windows laptops, we use the Windows operating system to connect to the Internet. If your laptop has a new or different wireless network card, you may need to use the software that came with the card instead of the built-in Wi-Fi utility.
When you're out and about, you can take advantage of free Wi-Fi. Many schools, libraries, and coffee shops offer free Wi-Fi, and you may even be able to access Wi-Fi in unexpected places like some supermarkets, banks, and outdoor locations.
Living and working with your laptop
Add a wireless mouse. Using an external mouse will make working on your laptop easier – you won't have to twist your wrist as much to use the trackpad or touchpad.
Use your laptop with an additional monitor to create a dual-screen workspace for enhanced productivity. You can arrange your laptop and second monitor to form a spacious working area, or set up the second screen to mirror what's displayed on your laptop (ideal for presentations).
Use your laptop to stream movies and display photos on your TV. Some laptops come equipped with HDMI or DV-I ports, along with DVD/Blu-Ray drives that support high-definition video playback – perfect for watching movies or recorded TV shows.
Connect your laptop to speakers to turn it into a powerful MP3 player with high output. Many laptops are also equipped with digital audio, SPDIF output, or 5.1 surround sound for exceptional audio quality.
- Laptops can even connect to your car's audio system. You can explore how to do this, but be cautious – reaching for your laptop to change the music while driving can be dangerous.
Your laptop can be used as a desktop computer. If you'd like to use your laptop like a desktop, simply plug in the monitor cable into the VGA port and connect your mouse, keyboard, and speakers (if needed).
Tips
- Arrange your laptop and workspace for safety and productivity. Laptops are often less ergonomic and effective than desktop computers due to their smaller keyboards, which can strain your wrist when typing. Additionally, their portability may lead to improper posture, as they can be placed anywhere without consideration for comfort.
- Place your laptop in a protective sleeve when on the move. Laptops are fragile and can be easily damaged if they collide with other objects inside a bag without padding. It's a good idea to invest in a dedicated laptop sleeve or even make one yourself if you have an unused hoodie.
Warning
- Backup your laptop regularly. If you store all your work and data on your laptop, you could be in serious trouble if it breaks down. It's essential to back up your data frequently, especially if you use your laptop for professional tasks.
- Always watch over your belongings. Laptops are valuable, highly portable, and easy to resell, making them a target for thieves. Take basic precautions while traveling, such as never leaving your laptop unattended on a car seat or in a public place, and remain alert to your surroundings.
- Keep food and drinks away from your laptop! Laptops have open ports for ventilation, and their keyboards are positioned just above hot components, so spilling coffee on your laptop could be disastrous. Warranty coverage typically doesn't extend to liquid damage. Always keep beverages away from your laptop—on the other side of the table or even on a separate table, if possible—while working or eating.
- Avoid dropping or jostling your laptop while it's running. Most laptops use hard drives that can be easily damaged by sudden impact while the system is active. A strong shock could cause a crash (a failure that occurs when the spinning disk in the hard drive contacts the read head). Repairs can be costly, so handle your laptop with care.
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Laptop overheating. Many laptops, especially high-performance models, can get hot underneath if used for long periods. This may be uncomfortable or cause skin irritation if you frequently use your laptop on your lap.
- Laptops with powerful graphics cards and processors, designed for gaming, are particularly prone to overheating. Exercise extra caution with these devices.
- Avoid using your laptop in hot or sunny environments, as the screen will become difficult to read, and the device will heat up faster.
- If your laptop gets too hot, consider buying a cooling pad. These devices, equipped with fans, help cool the air beneath your laptop and reduce heat buildup.
