Gartner estimated that the total number of laptops sold globally in 2011 was around 60 million. The figure is growing at around 15% on average per year. There is a great deal of energy that goes into making and running these laptops. The power consumption of a laptop can be controlled and optimized in many ways. One of the most popular ways is to use the end user power consumption options offered by most manufacturers. They allow to optimize consumption and put the laptop in standby or low consumption mode when it is inactive. However, one of the easiest ways to reduce power effectively is to keep your laptop clean. If dust accumulates, the system cannot effectively cool itself, increasing risks and energy consumption.

So how do we keep the laptop clean? Let’s understand that there are two goals to keep the laptop clean. One, it keeps the laptop looking like new. Two, the laptop performs optimally when it is clean and well maintained. There are different laptop components that need attention. We briefly discuss them one by one:

• Exterior: The exterior casing of the notebook should be cleaned with a dry cloth. If the case is not cleaned for a long time or is dirty, a damp or slightly damp cloth can be used. If there are stubborn stains, rubbing alcohol or rubbing alcohol can also be used specifically on the stained area.

• Keyboard and Mousepad: The keyboard is probably the most contaminated part of the laptop. Before we start cleaning the keyboard, we need to completely turn off the laptop. Different manufacturers attach the keyboard to the case in different ways. We should refer to the User Manual to know how it is fixed and how it can be removed for maintenance. Some keyboards may not be removable. The exterior can be cleaned in the same way as the exterior of the laptop. The interior can be vacuumed or cleaned with compressed air or simply dusted with a dry cloth.

• Motherboard, case and case openings: The motherboard is a very critical component of the laptop. A soft brush or tweezers can be used to clean any dust that accumulates in the casing gaps. The openings in the box must be cleaned effectively and regularly. Any obstruction to the openings through which the laptop draws cool air can create performance issues with the laptop. In case we are using compressed air to clean these openings, we must be careful. These openings can house fans that can be damaged by compressed air.