If you’re currently struggling to meet your productivity goals, or if you just feel like you could be more productive if something were different, you may consider purchasing a new laptop to give you the productivity boost you need. After all, a new piece of technology should make your life easier and enable you to do more things – right?
But will a new laptop for work really make you more productive?
3 Ways That a Laptop Can Boost Your Productivity
The premise is reasonably legitimate. In fact, there are three main ways that a laptop can feasibly improve your productivity:
1. Multitasking. A new laptop is going to have newer, more powerful specs (in nearly all cases), allowing you to keep more apps open at the same time and multitask from a computing perspective. That means you’ll be able to use more productivity apps at once and you’ll be able to simultaneously handle multiple computing processes to save time.
2. Responsiveness and performance. Similarly, your newer, more powerful laptop is likely to be more responsive and offer greater performance. You won’t have to wait minutes for an app to open, nor will there be any noticeable delay between your inputs and completed actions on screen. In other words, you’ll be able to do nearly everything on your computer faster and with more immediate feedback.
3. Quality of life and morale. Higher morale consistently leads to higher productivity. Sometimes, upgrading a laptop simply makes you feel good. If a laptop upgrade makes you happier and more motivated to work, you’ll naturally be more productive.
Signs Your Current Laptop Is Holding You Back
Productivity issues have a wide variety of potential root causes, so how can you tell if your laptop is one of the main problems?
These are some of the most noticeable signs:
· Noticeably slow performance. Is your computer constantly slow or unresponsive? If so, you’re probably losing time in hundreds or thousands of little increments every day.
· Multitasking limits. Are you unable to run all the apps and programs you want? If so, your productive potential is immediately diminished.
· Ongoing frustration. Do you absolutely hate using this laptop? Does it take all your willpower to avoid smashing the keyboard? If so, it’s reasonable to consider upgrading your laptop (and attending anger management workshops).
Laptop Upgrades and Changes to Boost Your Productivity
Of course, it’s possible that your laptop is salvageable, despite the fact that it’s currently holding you back. There are some tech upgrades that could help you squeeze more life out of your current device.
· A second (or third) monitor. Adding a second or third monitor can help you track more things simultaneously and extend your range of capabilities. Just be warned; once you make this upgrade, you won’t want to go back.
· A new battery. If your laptop is constantly running out of power or if your battery life is unpredictable and inconsistent, a new battery may be all you need.
· Core component upgrades. Upgrades to the core components of your laptop, like your hard drive and your RAM, might improve your performance (at least temporarily).
· General cleanup. You may also be able to resolve certain laptop performance issues by performing troubleshooting and cleanup actions, such as removing malware and uninstalling resource-hogging programs that you don’t really need.
Other Ways to Improve Your Productivity
If you want to improve your productivity but you aren’t sure that a laptop is the right answer, consider experimenting with these strategies:
· Time management. Better structuring your day and carefully managing your time can help you avoid wasting time on unnecessary activities and focus more productively on the tasks that matter.
· Distraction controls. Distractions have the power to destroy your productivity if you don’t keep them under control. Eliminating or mitigating distractions can help you stay focused.
· Delegation. If you’re overwhelmed by tasks to do and responsibilities to manage, the solution could be delegation. No amount of laptop multitasking can substitute for additional manpower needs.
· Prioritization and organization. Proper organization and prioritization can also ensure you spend your time strategically.
· Breaks, sleep, and rest. Many professionals skip breaks and work long into the night because they believe it can help them get more done. But this can be counterproductive. Better sleep, more breaks, and occasional vacations will keep you healthier, more alert, and more productive.
In many cases, it’s true that upgrading to a new laptop can boost your productivity. However, it may not be the solution to all your productivity problems and it’s still only part of the equation. That said, if you already feel mostly in control of your productivity and your laptop is showing signs of age, buying a new laptop can give you a considerable working advantage.
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