The Student Device Survival Guide: Protect, Repair And Save

A cracked phone or dead laptop in finals week is the worst. Here's how to avoid it, and what to do when it happens anyway.

Protect

• A case with raised edges and a screen protector. Most cracks start at a corner.
• A laptop sleeve in your backpack. Pressure from books cracks laptop screens.
• Keep drinks off the desk next to the laptop. Liquid is the most expensive accident.

Back Up Your Schoolwork

• Turn on iCloud, Google Drive or OneDrive sync for your school folder.
• Set Time Machine or File History to run once a week.

Budget For Repairs

• Phones: pick your part tier. Economy is a solid everyday screen at a fair price, and Budget (select iPhone screens) is our lowest cost, with a 1-year warranty against defects on undamaged parts. See screen prices.
• Batteries: if your phone dies by lunch, a battery is cheaper than a new phone. See Battery Health Under 80%.
• Laptops running hot or loud? Thermal paste replacement can help.

Call or text (720) 413-8150.

Franchitti's Fix LLC is an independent repair shop, not affiliated with Apple, Samsung or Google.