It's not necessarily a problem with the laptop, so try these ideas first before heading off to buy a new one.
What? How many programs do you have open at the moment?
Why? Each program - Skype, Safari, Word, etc. - needs memory (i.e. energy) to run. If you have too many open, there's not enough capacity to go round, so things grind to a halt.
Action: Close down programs you are not using at the moment.
What? Do you have too many programs full stop?
Why? Even when not running, programs take up space on your hard drive - your computer's 'brain'. When the hard drive is too full, the system slows down.
Action: Delete those programs you don't use - but only get rid of ones you are sure you never use. Restart, and things should be faster.
How? On Windows XP, click Start - Control Panel - Add or Remove Programs. For Windows 7 and Vista, click Start - Control Panel- Programs - Programs and Features. On a Mac, click Finder (the blue face symbol) - Applications then drag what you don't want into the Trash bin, and remember to empty it too.
What? Access to the Internet is slow?
Why? Your computer tracks what you've been doing so it can auto-complet searches, forms and find sites you've visited in the past, but this information takes up space on your hard drive.
Action: Clear you browsing history and cookies. Once or twice a week,delete it.
How? On Internet Explorer, this option is under Tools; on Firefox and Safari its under History; on Chrome it's on the menu bar (the button with three horizontal lines.
What? Access to the Internet is slow?
Why? If people are trying to access your computer via spyware, your connection will suffer. It's only an issue if you don't have an anti-virus checker. Avast Free Antivirus is easy to use.
What? Access to the Internet is slow?
Why? Sometimes there's nothing wrong with your computer; it's your broadband service that is slow.
Action: Go to moneysupermarket.com/broadband/tools/speed-test to check your speed and see what your neighbours get. You may benefit from switching provider.
What? Still find things slow?
Why? Think of your computer like your desk; each time you use it, things get moved around and you end up with piles of papers you don't need.
Action: A disc clean up and defrag (defragmentation - consolidating data so it works more efficiently) is the equivalent of having a clear out, then tidying up what's left. It can make a major difference to how your computer runs. With Windows, clean and defrag at least once a month (Macs do it automatically).
How? To clean up on Windows 7 or Vista, click Start- All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Disk Clean Up. Click the drive you want to clean up (usually C) and make sure Downloaded Program Files, Temporary Internet Files, Recycle Bin, Temporary Files are all selected, then hit Delete Files.
How? To Defrag go to windows.microsoft.com and search 'defrag your hard disk' for a really straightforward how-to video. Copy the one-minute tutorial and it's done.
Mihir Patel in Glamour, June 2014
