In summary, it’s important to keep an eye on the small details. Otherwise, your laptop could die a slow death through damage to the hinges, hard drive, exterior, or other components. Even seemingly minor actions, like dropped food crumbs getting underneath the keyboard, can cause serious damage over time. You’ll read stories of people dropping their laptop in a pool, or spilling a drink on it, or knocking it off a fourth-story balcony. Such mistakes do happen. But dramatic accidents are not how most damage occurs. Laptops often fail due to a combination of small mistakes, some of which may have no consequences at first.
Keep in mind that batteries wear out with age. After a certain number of cycles, no battery will hold as much of a charge as it used to. Swollen batteries, while not common, are a significant risk. They are the result of too much current inside a cell of the battery, which causes a build-up of heat and gas. This can be caused by overcharging, manufacturer defect, deep discharge, or damage to the battery. Don’t ignore it. It won’t get better and it won’t get safer. Even if your device still works, the battery must be replaced immediately. Using the device or leaving it connected to power can be dangerous.
