Laptops For Seniors For Dummies Cheat Sheet

When you’re purchasing your laptop, consider what type would work best for you and take into account the features that you find most important. Consider these features:

• Memory: Your laptop should have at least 4 gigabytes (GB) of RAM.
• Processor: Most processors today are multiple-core processors, such as the i3, i5, and i7 processor lines from Intel. Those with two processors are called dual-core; those with four processors are called quad-core; and processors with six cores are referred to as hexa-core. The bottom line with cores is that the more you have, the faster your computer can process instructions because all the cores can work at once with many applications.
• Battery life: If you will often be using your laptop in settings without a power source, such as on a plane or in the doctor’s waiting room, look for a model with long battery life. Some offer 10 hours or more.
• Keyboard: Make sure the keyboard feels comfortable to you. The keyboards on very small laptops may make your wrists bend uncomfortably if you type on them for long stretches.
• Screen: Laptops come with screens that range from 9 inches on mini laptops to 17-inch models that are easy to see — even without great vision. A 15-inch monitor is comfortable for most people, but if you do work with higher-end images or watch videos, consider a larger screen as larger screens may be easier on your eyes. Consider getting a touchscreen to take advantage of all of Windows touchscreen features.
• CD/DVD drive: Laptops used to all come with a CD or DVD drive, but nowadays it’s uncommon because software is distributed mainly online, rather than via discs. If a laptop is right for you in other ways but doesn’t have a CD/DVD drive, consider opting for an external drive.
• Type of hard drive: Laptops have traditionally used hard drives to store programs and data. In many laptops today, though, a solid state drive (SSD) is used in place of a hard disk drive (HDD). The access speed (how fast your computer retrieves data) of solid-state drives is much higher than the access speed of hard drives. If you need a laptop that starts up quickly and loads applications and data files in the blink of an eye, look for one with a solid-state drive.
• Wireless capability: To connect to some wireless devices and networks, you need wireless capability.
• Included software: Some laptops come with utility programs such as antivirus software or productivity software such as Microsoft Office. Be aware that some software offers only a short-term trial version and you have to pay to buy the full version upgrade.
• Manufacturer support: Check the warranty and technical support available. Also check for helpful documentation on the manufacturer’s website.
• Graphics and sound cards: If you want to use multimedia or game software, look for sophisticated sound and video features such as a display adapter that is separate from the motherboard.
• A webcam: If you will be calling your friends or grandchildren over a service such as Zoom or Google Meet, it’s useful to have a built-in webcam to transmit video images while talking. Most computers today include a webcam located just above the display screen.

You need to perform some basic maintenance on your computer to keep it running in top shape. Here’s some advice to keep your laptop secure and performing optimally:

• Windows Firewall: Turn on the Windows Firewall feature to stop people and programs from downloading malicious code and viruses to your computer from the Internet. It is probably already on.
• Antivirus software: You can use anti-malware software such as Windows Defender, which comes with all Windows computers, or a third-party security program such as McAfee, to scan your computer and remove malware.
• Use System Restore: You can create a System Restore Point to save current settings and revert to those settings if your computer begins having problems. This can happen after installing a new program or driver for hardware.
• Optimize your hard drive: Optimizing your hard drive relocates files so all parts of each file are contiguously stored; this modestly improves disk access time on traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). It’s not useful on solid-state drives (SSDs).
• Battery life: All batteries wear out, and your laptop’s battery is no different. If your battery doesn’t hold a charge as long as it used to, consider buying a replacement battery from the manufacturer.
• Perform a Disk Cleanup: Use the Disk Cleanup feature to free up some disk space on your hard drive. This helps your computer perform better.
• Set up a password: By assigning a password to your Windows user account, you may prevent people from accessing your files and personal data.
• Protect your laptop from damage: Invest in a good case for your laptop to protect it from damage when travelling. You might also want a screen protector, which is a thin sheet of plastic that you place across your screen to prevent scratches.
• Consider using a picture password: If your laptop is in a spot where other people surround you, consider using a picture password, which is almost impossible for people to get past.

Use the following Windows keystroke shortcuts to handle common activities, such as cutting and pasting text, quickly and easily, or opening commonly used windows.