6 Laptop Tips for Less Experienced Freelancers

As a freelancer who works from home or travels a lot, there are certain things you need to know about laptops.

It is hard to imagine the life of a digital nomad without a laptop. If anything, laptops are the most important tools for work in such cases.

Freelancers who are not as experienced might find the information below. The purpose of this article is to share some great tips that ought to come in handy for freelancers with laptops.

Prioritize Updates

Just like other computers, laptops also require proper maintenance. One of the key aspects of maintenance is having the latest operating system version.

Whether you are using MS Windows, Linux, macOS, or another OS, be sure to keep it up to date. 

The biggest concern is security. Outdated operating systems are more prone to security breaches.

The overall performance and new features are other considerations, but you should still treat the OS update as mostly the need to ensure security. In addition, do not forget to use reliable antivirus software.

Learn Relevant Keyboard Shortcuts

As a freelancer, you want to be efficient with your work. Otherwise, it might be difficult to meet deadlines. Failing to deliver your work on time leads to conflicts with clients, and that is one of the things you want to avoid.

Keyboard shortcuts might not seem like that big of a deal, but once you get comfortable with different combinations, you will notice how much faster you finish the tasks.

It is not just the operating system keyboard shortcuts. Certain software that you use for work likely has macros and shortcuts as well, so do not hesitate and research that. If you can cut a few seconds here and there, they will add up and make a difference.

Check Available Accessories

If you are working from home, the odds are that your laptop is static on a desk most of the time. Meanwhile, freelancers who like to travel might be concerned about the safety of their laptops.

In this sense, safety means scratches and other types of damage. It might be worthwhile to invest in a laptop sleeve and use it as a protective accessory.

A cooling pad is another example. Overheating laptops is common, particularly if you neglect to take proper care of them.

Investing in a cooling pad means that you get an accessory that provides cool air. Of course, it does not offer as much as cleaning the dust inside a laptop offers (you should clean the dust regularly, by the way), but for 50 or so dollars, the accessory is still great value.

Finally, you can consider obvious things like a computer mouse and keyboard if you are not a fan of using the trackpad or the integrated laptop keyboard. Keep in mind, though, that with such accessories, you will also have to worry about adjusting your bags when traveling as there will be extra things you need to take with you.

Pay Attention to the Battery

A new laptop should not have issues related to its battery. However, after a while, you are bound to notice that it takes longer for the battery to charge. Not to mention that the lifespan becomes shorter as well.

It is not that simple to find the root cause of the problem. Nor is it simple to solve it by yourself. Expect to see professional assistance from someone with technical knowledge if you notice problems related to the laptop’s battery.

Also, if you are traveling, be mindful that some locations might not have electrical outlets available. If you are in a hurry and need to charge a laptop, prepare in advance by getting a portable charger.

Back Up Data

Work files accumulate over time, and managing them properly should always be a priority. The workflow depends on how good you are with the data.

In addition, it is also crucial to back up files using available backup options. You cannot predict when the laptop’s hardware might break. Malware and other cybersecurity threats could corrupt or delete work files as well.

Sure, you could argue that there are recovery tools, but you cannot guarantee that you can bring files back using software. It is better to be safe than sorry, so get in the habit of backing up laptop files on a regular basis.

Keep an Eye on New Software

As a freelancer, you likely have work software that you prefer. Nevertheless, software developers are constantly looking for innovative ways to introduce new solutions to user problems.

Considering how many useful tools there are for your work, you might need a while to find actual upgrades. Nevertheless, it is still worthwhile to keep an eye on and get useful software if you find it yourself or have someone recommend it to you.