Your new laptop may be at risk, and you have to protect it against the many dangers out there that may cut its lifespan short: soda or coffee spills, moisture building up inside the casing, and impact from being dropped, among others. The portability that makes your computer so convenient is also what puts it at risk from all these.

Now, just because your comp is portable, that doesn't mean it's made to withstand a lot of abuse from being moved around and used in different conditions. It still has parts that experience not only wear and tear from continuous use, but from threats that you can avoid to keep them in running condition.

A common source of laptop trouble is liquids. Very hot ones (such as coffee) can steam up your portable, causing moisture to condense inside. Cold ones with a lot of ice can cause the same problem, especially sodas. These are especially bad for your unit, as even if you get it dry, there will be a sticky residue that can attract dust and dirt.

The weather in your area may also damage your laptop. In places with high humidity like Los Angeles or Florida, the moist air can introduce moisture in your portable's components. This becomes worse if you tend to move your laptop in and out of very cold and then very hot areas (like from an air-conditioned workplace to an outside table in a coffeeshop). Invest in a moisture-proof case, and wipe down any dampness if you notice any. If you do find dampness, move your laptop to a drier area and wait for it to dry before using.

Your laptop also has a hard drive that takes a lot of punishment. Hard drives deal with a lot of wear and tear, because it is continually spinning. Moving around your comp can interfere with this spinning, causing your hard drive to crash. If you can't shut down before moving it, at least put your portable on sleep or hibernate: this stops your hard drive from spinning, and protects it from damage while in transit.

And last, avoid leaving your laptop on while it's on a bed or any other soft surface. Leaving it there causes it to overheat, because the hot air can't escape through the sides and the underside. This can cause a lot of damage to the silicon components, and in as little as a year can render your laptop useless.