Tips on Caring for New Laptop

Hello everyone,
so recently I just got the dv6tqe-7000 and I think it's an amazing machine. I'm keeping this for the long run, at least 4 years. It got me thinking about what kind of precautions I could take to make sure this happens and to optimize its life. Here are some things I kept in mind, and please correct me if I'm wrong:

[Heat]
1) Always make sure the vents are blocked so they can cool properly
2) A notebook cooler is a good investment especially if you game
3) Throttle the CPU if you don't need to use its full processing power

That's the big issues I could think of the moment, but I had some questions myself that I was hoping someone could help with:
1) What's the best way to clean the laptop? I know the screen should be wiped with a microfiber cloth but I'm not sure what kind of liquid I should use; I've heard the solution for cleaning eyeglasses was optimal but can someone confirm?

Relevant to this, how would one clean the case? I'm assuming microfiber cloth again but which should I also use a liquid? (The dv6tqe-7000 attracts fingerprints and dust easily because it's black).

2) This may surprise some people, but what's the safest way to open the lid? I try to open it as gently as I can but I'm not sure where I should apply pressure; I know not to put it on the webcam but would the corner or side be better?

I also make sure I hold the bottom of the laptop down to the surface as I'm opening. I've seen people apply pressure to just the top and it lifts the bottom portion which then slams against the table.

3) I'm a little skeptical about using compressed air. What's the safest way to use it to clean the vents? I'm assuming short bursts but please let me know what angle I should be pointing it and how often I should be cleaning the vents.


That's all the issues I have on mind at the moment. When I think of more I'll be sure to ask. Please feel free to reply or leave any tips of your own!

 

just use it normally. No need to baby it. Open the lid as your instincts would tell you- in the middle, next to the webcam is fine. Actually better that way, with equal force on both hinges.
as long as the hard drive isn't running, the base 'slamming' against the table shouldn't matter.

most importantly-
1. don't drop your laptop.
2. blow in the fan exhaust to loosen dust, and use vacuum to suck it out.
3. don't hold your laptop single handed by a corner, or you may risk bending the mobo and cracking some chip loose. (happened to an old dell of mine, had to use solder iron to fix it)

clean your screen with distilled water and soft towel.
the rest of the laptop can be wiped with rubbing alcohol.

 

Here are some more tips...

Don't use your laptop on soft surfaces... Like bedding, towels, carpeting, etc... Use it on a hard surface, like a table... If you use it in bed, a lapdesk or small piece of laminate... Soft surfaces will impede airflow as well as hold dust particles and fibers that will clog up the laptop's cooling system.

There is no reason to be afraid of using compressed air to clean your cooling ducts... If you are using compressed air in a can, be sure to keep the can upright (tilting it can cause propellent to be expelled, which can damage electronics). If you are using a compressor... Make sure it has a filter unit... You don't want to be blowing oil and moisture into your laptop. Power off your laptop and remove the battery before cleaning... I also advise precaution when using a vacuum cleaner... They can and will produce static electricity which is deadly to electronics... The shielding in your laptop should protect the components, but why take the unneccesary risk?

The best way to clean is to keep at it regularly... Blow air in the vents on the bottom, back and side of the laptop... Bits of fiber can get caught behind the heatsink fins, so blowing from both directions is best.

Make sure the computer is in an OFF state or full hibernation before packing it into a travel bag. When in Sleep mode, the laptop is still using electricity to keep the information in RAM... which creates heat, albeit small amounts of it which can build up... Also, by putting the computer into hibernate allows removal of the battery which will protect against an accidental awakening... I have seen it happen...

As for cleaning the outside... A dampened cloth or microfiber towel will be more than sufficient... The keyboard can be blown out with compressed air and a damp cloth can be used to (gently) wipe the surface. A rubbing alcohol solution can be used to wipe the screen down...

A notebook cooler will drop overall temps in your laptop by a few degrees, but it does draw constant power through a USB port...