Chromebooks and School iPads: Care Tips for Students

First: who owns the device?

Before anything else, find out whether the Chromebook or iPad belongs to the school or to your family. It changes what you're allowed to do when something goes wrong.

• School-issued devices usually come with a loan agreement. Repairs typically go through the school or school board's IT process, and a third-party repair could break that agreement. Read the paperwork or ask the school office before anyone opens it.
• Family-owned devices are yours to repair however you like, including at home.

Either way, good habits prevent most damage. Here's what helps through a school year.

Carrying it the right way

Most laptop and tablet damage happens in transit, not on the desk.

• Close it before you move it. Walking around with an open Chromebook, held by a corner of the screen, strains the hinge and the display.
• Use a padded sleeve inside the backpack, in its own compartment if there is one.
• Keep the water bottle in a side pocket, not next to the device.
• Don't overstuff the bag. Pressure from heavy binders can crack a screen without a drop.
• Never leave it in a car on a hot or freezing day. Extreme temperatures are hard on batteries and screens.

Keyboard care

Chromebook keyboards and iPad keyboard cases take a lot of punishment from snacks and quick typing.

• Keep food and drinks off the desk while typing. Crumbs work under keys and make them stick.
• To clear crumbs, shut the device down, tip it upside down gently and tap the back, or use short bursts of compressed air.
• Wipe sticky keys with a cloth that's barely damp, never wet.
• Before closing a Chromebook, check that no pencil, earbud or paper clip is sitting on the keyboard. Closing the lid on a small object is one of the easiest ways to crack a laptop screen.

Charging habits

• Use the charger that came with the device, or one with the same connector and enough power. Many Chromebooks charge over USB-C. Older iPads use Lightning, while newer ones use USB-C.
• Plug the cable in straight. Yanking it out at an angle wears the port.
• Don't wrap the cable tightly around the charger. Loose loops last much longer.
• Charge on a hard surface like a desk, not on a bed or couch where heat builds up.
• Make charging part of the evening routine at home, in a shared spot, so the device starts each school day full.

Cleaning the screen safely

1. Turn the device off so you can see smudges and avoid tapping things.
2. Use a soft microfibre cloth. Paper towels and tissues can leave fine scratches.
3. If needed, dampen the cloth very lightly with water. Never spray anything directly onto the screen.
4. Skip window cleaner, ammonia and abrasive products. They can damage screen coatings.
5. Wipe gently. Pressing hard on a Chromebook display can leave marks.

Software habits that prevent problems

• Restart when updates are ready. Chromebooks update in the background and finish when restarted. A Chromebook that's never restarted misses fixes.
• Keep iPadOS current and leave some free storage for updates and school files.
• Save work to the school's cloud account so a broken device doesn't mean a lost assignment.

A weekly care routine for students

• Shake out crumbs and wipe the keyboard
• Clean the screen with microfibre
• Check the charging cable for fraying
• Look over the sleeve or case for tears
• Restart to install updates

Repair options when something breaks

For a school-owned device, report the damage to the school first and follow their process.

For a family-owned device, common repairs include cracked screens, batteries that don't hold a charge, charging ports that have worn loose, and keyboards that stopped working after a spill. Woman Wireless On The Go handles tablet repair, iPad screen repair and laptop and computer repair. If you're unsure whether a cracked iPad is worth fixing, read is iPad screen repair worth it.

Need a hand?

If a family-owned Chromebook, laptop or iPad needs fixing, you don't need to take time off to drop it somewhere. A certified woman technician from Woman Wireless On The Go comes to your home anywhere in our service area, gives you a free quote before any work starts and does the repair on the spot. Evening windows fit around homework time. Call or WhatsApp (365) 351-4247, or book online.

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