Unboxing a brand new laptop is exciting since you’re longing to enjoy the laptop’s top features. The fact that you chose the best laptop doesn’t mean the job is done; you’ll need to configure it.
PC sales exceeded 302 million in 2020 since they’re a necessity when working from home. To make the laptop’s functionality optimal, you’ll need to set it up to fit personal needs. Setting up your laptop can be time-consuming, and it’s crucial not to skip this vital step.
The benefits of configuring a brand new laptop are to ensure organization on your PC and personalize your notebook. Tweaking the set-up isn’t always straightforward since there’s so much to consider. It might help to focus on the essentials first to ensure the set-up process is a success.
Did you know that not all laptops come well equipped out of the box? Here are some things that you should do as soon as you buy a brand new laptop.
Register for Warranty
Once you unbox a brand new laptop, there is documentation included in the package. You’ll need to find the warranty and register as the initial step.
Warranty is invaluable for covering any laptop defects arising from manufacturing issues. The warranty covers you for a specified period within which the vendor fixes or replaces the laptop free of charge.
Most vendors will require that you register new products online on the product site for warranty claims. You’ll need to enter the laptop’s serial number, model, date of purchase, and vendor name.
Ensure that you keep hard copies of the warranty or bill in a safe place after filling the warranty. These documents might come in handy if you find out that your laptop is faulty.
Set Up Your Account
The next thing is to boot up your laptop for the first time; this is where the fun begins. You will be prompted to create a user account that you’ll use to log on.
Creating a user account ensures that your laptop is personalized and feels explicitly like yours. Create this account, enter all necessary detail; follow the steps on your laptop.
Be sure to use a password to ensure privacy. Your password has to be strong and one that you can easily recall since it’ll be needed to log on.
Consider connecting your laptop to a network—either wireless or using an ethernet cable during the set-up process. Internet access will be critical for the whole configuration process.
Remove Any Bloatware
Your laptop will probably have pre-installed software, as is the case with most new laptops. Although most software can be helpful, you’ll need to remove the less-useful software.
Bloatware includes promotion software that comes bundled with laptop brands. The existence of the software aims to sell you something down the line, which you might find not helpful. They’re poised to use up valuable system resources affecting laptop performance so, consider uninstalling them.
Bloatware and any junkware need not exist on your PC. Go to programs, then the control panel, and get rid of anything you don’t need.
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Run an OS Update
Once you connect your laptop to the internet, some downloads start immediately. Most of these downloads are operating system updates, so ensure their successful installation.
By the time you purchase a brand new laptop, it has been offline for quite some time. Operating software companies like Windows release new updates and security patches for malware and software bugs. Installing these updates is critical to fixing existing vulnerabilities.
Operating systems make it difficult to ignore updates, but you’ll still need to check and run the updates. Running the OS updates while the laptop is new ensures you don’t have to deal with them in the near future. As such, you’re protected from security threats that arise from system vulnerabilities.
Install Antivirus Software
Cyber attacks are common today, with 446 data breaches publicly reported in the US for the third quarter of 2021. Having robust antivirus software installed in your system makes data breaches much harder.
Threats including malware, spyware, and ransomware lurk on the internet, even on seemingly legit sites. Installing antivirus ensures your documents are protected from such malware.
Although Windows has its own defender security, installing third-party antivirus software ensures additional protection. While purchasing antivirus, confirm it’s from a legitimate seller for real-time protection.
Install and Set Default Programs
Even with all the updates so far, the laptop is still not likely to fit your specific uses. Consider installing and setting default programs.
Your work dictates the need for specific software, so install them as per your requirements. They are instrumental since they ensure you can complete tasks as need be.
Ensure your apps and software are obtained from a recognized source within the device. For safety purposes, manufacturers make it hard to install software with questionable origins.
Setting default programs to open files is often overlooked but a necessary step after buying a new PC. You’ll want to have your work organized for fast actions, so, set default programs. You should set a preferred app for opening emails, maps, browser, music player, or photo viewer.
Configure Anti-Theft Tools
Now that remote access protection for your laptop, there is also the threat of physical theft. Losing your laptop can be devastating, which is why you’ll need to configure anti-theft tools.
Once you lose your laptop, you should trace it, which is why anti-theft tools are necessary. These tools increase the possibility of getting your device back once it’s lost.
Your OS comes with a built-in feature to allow you to locate your laptop by logging into your personal account. They use location services to pinpoint exactly where the laptop is for easy retrieval.
You’ll have to activate the anti-theft feature and link it o your account on the device. The tools are freely available, and you’ll not have to spend on them even though they’re helpful.
Optimize Your Laptop’s Power Settings
Laptops are all about their portability and possessing optimum battery life. Optimizing your laptop’s power settings results in a difference in hours between charges.
A longer-lasting battery is every laptop owner’s wish since you don’t want to stay plugged in all the time. There are simple tweaks on how to improve battery life on your laptop to ensure the charge lasts longer.
Change the power settings to ensure optimal performance with low power usage. Your sleep settings, for instance, should focus on moving into energy-saving modes.
Focus on minimizing the use of resource-heavy apps since they are power hogs. As a result, you’re likely to get better battery life with lesser resource-needy apps and software.
Configure Automated Backups
Have you ever lost your data in a system crash? Not yet? It happens, and it’s terrible to lose all of your data, which necessitates the need for a backup.
Your laptop will be full of personal data, including documents, projects, and photos with continued use. You’ll want to create an automated backup for such data to avoid losing it.
Automated backups prevent data loss by saving data as it is received on the laptop. Having an exact copy of the data accessible from your account online means that it’s retrievable if lost.
Configure the back-ups to ensure that they’re able to save data automatically. You don’t have to worry about data loss now since your essential information is well stored.
Set Up Cloud Storage Syncing
Are you one to work on projects between multiple devices? You’ll want to access everything remotely on a separate device thus, setting up cloud storage syncing is imperative.
In addition to a proper backup, cloud storage makes working on multiple devices seamless. Therefore, you can access your project at home and save it for you to continue working on it at your workplace. Cloud storage services have made seamless working on multiple devices possible.
Setting up cloud storage syncing is helpful in today’s computing, both as backup or even in file transfer. Most of the storage space is free, and you can enjoy the services at no extra cost. If your needs are heavier, you could check out some cheap cloud storage options for great deals.
Log in to a cloud server on your laptop and create default syncing. Syncing implies that information is readily available for you wherever you sign in.
Personalize Laptop Operations
Even after the security configurations and updates, your laptop still feels new, right? Personalization of laptop operations eases the weirdness that comes with working on a new device.
There are a variety of valuable considerations when personalizing laptop operations, including;
Unhide File Extensions
Windows treats you like an untrustworthy stranger when the device is new by hiding extensions. The result is that system files and folders are invisible so, consider unhiding file extensions.
File extensions such as .docx, .xls are important in file identification. You’ll need to know such information before you decide to print or share it. Some file extensions will need additional software to open them, and knowing in advance allows you to decide what to download.
Change Desktop Theme
The default desktop theme on a brand new laptop can be blank to look at. Personalizing your laptop means changing the desktop theme, wallpaper, and color scheme.
Changing the theme affects your interaction with the laptop, ensuring you’re satisfied. Consider switching from dark to light mode or vice versa based on your preference.
There are additional themes that you could download since they better the appeal for your desktop.
Setup Keyboard Shortcuts for Apps
While working on your laptop, you save a lot of time using keyboard shortcuts rather than your mouse. Consider setting up keyboard shortcuts for apps and functions on your new laptop.
If you’ve tried using the new laptop, you’ll know it takes some time to get used to the new changes. It’s frustrating and slows you down since you have to find different operations by the mouse pointer. Set up keyboard shortcuts similar to those in your previous laptop to make it easier to use the new one.
Buy Supporting Accessories
Most laptop users are not comfortable with the touchpad use of a new laptop. The laptop’s parts are too sensitive, which can create a lot of errors in your work. You should consider buying and connecting supporting accessories to enhance the laptop experience.
Some functional accessories like a mouse or keyboard that are comfortable to use are readily available in the technology industry. Buying a webcam also ensures your videos in virtual meetings are crystal clear. You could also buy headphones or even new speakers to listen to music or podcasts better.
If you find your display uncomfortable, it can be wise to seek the blue screen to ensure ease in use.
The supporting accessories don’t always link directly to the laptop. The charger is critical and you might need to get surge protection to prevent it from blowing up.
Before purchasing such accessories, ensure that they’re compatible with the laptop and find a reputable seller.
Consider the Above Things When Buying a Brand New Laptop
Unboxing a brand new laptop is exciting, and you’ll need to make it your own. The setting up process takes some time but, if done correctly, ensures a smooth and increased lifespan for your machine. Consider the above considerations on what you need to do when you buy a brand new laptop.
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