Tech Amazing

Here are three other tips. Keep the packaging and receipts. Store them out of the way, but not out in the trash. A lot of high-tech gadgets are also new to the market, which means there could be bugs in software, problems with hardware or other flaws that only time and use will fix. If something drastically bad happens, you want to be able to have every shred of purchase evidence on your side.

Recycle the old gadgets. The local solid waste folks host electronics recycling days. You can drop off old cell phones, computers, monitors and other items so they can be disassembled and, if possible, reused. Many gadgets have small amounts of hazardous materials in them that, in tiny quantities, won’t do harm. But if everyone tosses their old computer monitors into the trash, they end up en masse at the landfill, and so does lead.

Update your computer. Whether it’s a PC or a Mac, you’ll get the occasional reminder that new software updates are available. While it may feel like a hassle to grab 500 megabytes of something as uncool as an operating system, just know that it’s important. There could be security flaws that leave you and your private information exposed. This applies to everything from your Internet browsers to your iTunes software. When prompted, go ahead and get the update. Tech companies make this process so simple and automatic anymore that it’ll be easy.