After a few months of use, oils, dust, drink drips, and food crumbs can build up in even the keyboards of our best laptops. No one is immune to this, not even tech experts like us. But there are ways to get your laptop clean again.

We’ve laid out the best ways to clean your laptop keyboard, whether you’re simply trying to disinfect or you need a deep clean. But there are a few critical steps to take before you start scrubbing. 

Prep work

Take a minute and go through the common-sense precautions:

• If you have vital data on your laptop, back it up. It’s always a good idea.
• Turn your laptop completely off. You may even want to remove the battery, if possible.
• Make sure your laptop is unplugged and that there are no accessories attached (including USB dongles).
• Make sure you have the space and time. Cleaning your keyboard isn’t something you should do on the go — remember, a desktop keyboard is easy to replace, but if your laptop keyboard gets damaged, that’s a bigger problem.

For long-term dust

Everyone knows what this looks like. It may not be as bad as sticky stains, but over time, dust naturally builds up between and on the sides of your keys. If you want to get rid of it, grab a vacuum cleaner.

Wait! We mean grab the right kind of vacuum cleaner. The standard solution is a hand vacuum that comes with small brush attachments that you can slowly maneuver around your keyboard while sucking up the dust. A larger vacuum can work if it also has a dust attachment and isn’t too powerful. After all, you don’t want your vacuum to eat any keys.

In a perfect world, the ideal solution is a micro vacuum attachment, which typically isn’t found outside of labs and specialized workstations. That said, you can always buy your own if you’re very serious about keyboard care.

Compressed air is another possibility, but we don’t recommend it. This double-edged sword will blast much of the dust and crumbs away, but it might also blow much of it further into your laptop, potentially causing more problems. A vacuum cleaner is usually a more efficient solution, so start there.

For grime that won’t go away

We’re talking about the crud that builds up as a result of oils, skin cells, grease, food dust, and everything else that might contribute to the gross stains and plaque on your keyboard. You can approach this cleaning mission by using disinfecting wipes, but we prefer using a melamine cleaning sponge, which excels at cleaning up grime such as this.

Once you have the melamine sponge, soak it in water, ring it out, and let it dry enough so that you aren’t leaving streaks of water across your keyboard. Gently rub a corner of the sponge on the soiled parts of the keys until the grime is removed. Melamine can be a very abrasive material if used carelessly, so go slow and try to avoid rubbing off any key characters. The material is also very easy to cut out into the right shape, so feel free to snip off a portion for more customized work.

You can use another type of sponge in the same way, but it may not be as effective, especially when it comes to the more stubborn stains.

For germs

It’s normal to worry about germs on your keyboard, especially if you’ve been working in an office or a classroom full of sick people. If your keys are a little too dirty and you’re wondering if they may have become a biohazard, then it’s time to get out the disinfectant.

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Specifically, get some isopropyl alcohol and a bundle of cotton swabs. Isopropyl is essential, because stronger versions thereof may accidentally burn off some of your keyboard letters. Cotton swabs or Q-Tips, on the other hand, are crucial because you don’t want any liquids near your keyboard, even when cleaning. Dip and dab a swab so that it’s damp but in no danger of dripping, and then start wiping your keys one by one. This somewhat tedious method is very effective but easier to do if, well, you’re a little bored and have some time to waste.

For spills

See our dedicated guide to how to fix a laptop that you’ve spilled water on for full details.

In the meantime, it’s time to clean your keys. For the surface of your laptop’s keyboard, you’ll want a simple sponge or cloth. Odds are you have to go a bit deeper to clean up more concerning residue that might be trapped beneath, which means you’ll have to remove your keyboard.

Laptop keyboards are all different depending on the manufacturer, the machine’s design, and the age of the computer itself. You can carefully pry off some as a whole unit, others you can ease open key by key. In some cases, you won’t be able to remove the keyboard at all — because the company didn’t manufacture it that way.

You can try to detach each key from the keyboard for optimal cleaning. It’s possible to remove each key with your hands if you’re gentle enough. You can carefully use tools, but make sure they’re not sharp enough to damage the inner workings of your laptop.

You might have trouble removing the keys yourself or be too scared of breaking them in the process or damaging the computer itself. In that case, take it to a professional. Paying a professional will ensure they will clean it without damage.

Further laptop cleaning

Remember to keep your laptop clean at all times, not just when things start to become unresponsive. As well as cleaning the keyboard, you should be familiar with how to clean your laptop display.

The growing popularity of Bitcoin casinos has created a fascinating space in the online gambling world. As more players embrace digital currency as a safe and fast way to place bets, many are also learning the hard lessons that come with using these platforms. Whether it’s the fluctuating value of Bitcoin or the risks of unregulated sites, losing at Bitcoin casinos can teach players important lessons. Among these considerations is the legal status of non-Gamstop sites. This brings us to an important question: are non-Gamstop sites legal? Let’s explore both topics: the lessons learned from losing at Bitcoin casinos and the legal standing of non-Gamstop gambling sites.

Lesson 1: Understand Bitcoin Volatility

Bitcoin, the most well-known cryptocurrency, is notorious for its price volatility. For players using Bitcoin at online casinos, this can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, you might strike gold with the increasing value of Bitcoin, but on the other, you may suffer significant losses when the value drops suddenly. One lesson many players learn after losing at Bitcoin casinos is that the value of your cryptocurrency can be just as important as the outcome of the game.

Losing money in Bitcoin casinos isn’t always just about the games themselves. A player might win a game but end up losing when they withdraw their earnings, simply because Bitcoin’s value plummets before they can cash out. This volatility is something every player should be aware of before playing at Bitcoin casinos.

Lesson 2: Choose the Right Casino Carefully

Another vital lesson learned from losing at Bitcoin casinos is that not all platforms are created equal. While some Bitcoin casinos offer reliable services, others may operate without proper licensing or regulation, which can put players at risk. Here is where the question are non gamstop sites legal? becomes highly relevant.

Non-Gamstop casinos are online platforms that do not operate under the UK Gambling Commission’s self-exclusion program, Gamstop. These sites cater to players who want to continue gambling despite being blocked on Gamstop-registered platforms. Non-Gamstop casinos, including some Bitcoin casinos, are often based offshore and can lack proper oversight.

The legality of non-Gamstop casinos depends on several factors, primarily related to jurisdiction. For UK players, non-Gamstop sites may seem like a legal gray area because they aren’t licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. However, this does not necessarily mean they are illegal. Many non-Gamstop casinos are licensed by gambling authorities in other countries, which gives them legal grounds to operate in certain regions. As long as these sites are licensed elsewhere, players are technically not breaking the law by using them, although they won’t have the same legal protections as they would with UK-regulated casinos.

Lesson 3: Set Clear Limits on Your Spending

Gambling, whether with fiat currency or Bitcoin, always carries risks. One hard lesson that many players learn after a losing streak at Bitcoin casinos is the importance of setting and sticking to clear financial limits. Due to the decentralized and anonymous nature of cryptocurrency, it can be easy to lose track of how much money you’re spending.

Non-GamstopBitcoin casinos, in particular, are appealing to those who want to bypass self-exclusion programs. However, the lack of regulatory oversight means there are fewer mechanisms in place to help players manage their gambling behavior. For this reason, it’s crucial to set personal limits. Without these safeguards, the temptation to continue betting after a loss can spiral into serious financial trouble.

Lesson 4: Legal Risks and Lack of Protections

Returning to the question, are non-Gamstop sites legal?, it’s important to recognize the risks involved when playing at unregulated casinos. While these platforms can be convenient for players who want to gamble without restrictions, they often lack the legal protections that come with regulation. If you lose money due to an unfair practice at a non-Gamstop casino, you may not have any recourse.

In addition to the potential legal risks, losing at non-GamstopBitcoin casinos can lead to other challenges. The anonymity of cryptocurrency transactions means that if something goes wrong—whether due to a scam or a site shutting down—you could lose everything with no ability to retrieve your funds. Furthermore, many non-Gamstop sites may not offer responsible gambling tools, which could lead to unchecked spending and addiction.

Conclusion: Lessons for the Future

Losing at Bitcoin casinos can be a tough but valuable learning experience. From understanding the volatility of cryptocurrency to the importance of choosing reputable casinos, each loss presents a lesson in risk management. Players should also be aware of the potential legal risks involved, particularly when using non-Gamstop sites. Although non-Gamstop casinos may be legal in certain jurisdictions, they operate outside UK regulations, offering fewer protections.

As with any form of gambling, responsible play is essential. By understanding the lessons from losing at Bitcoin casinos and considering the legality and risks of non-Gamstop platforms, players can make more informed decisions and avoid financial pitfalls in the future.

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Robot vacuums are some of the pricier smart home gadgets you can get, which is why waiting until a sale like Amazon Prime Day is a smart shopping move. October Prime Day may be behind us, but you can still save on some robot vacuums, and cordless stick vacuums, today post-sale event. Some of our top picks for the best robot vacuums remain discounted, including models from iRobot and Shark. Here are the best October Prime Day vacuum deals you can still get today.

Best Prime Day deals on robot vacuums

The best robot vacuums take a chore than many of us would rather not do and automates it to the point where the most you have to do is set a cleaning schedule and empty a bin every once in a while. Of course, that level of smart home automation comes at a cost — which is why it’s a good idea to take the leap on that robo-vac you’ve been eyeing while it’s still on sale.

Best Prime Day deals on cordless vacuums

There are some of us who actually enjoy vacuuming (guilty!), and for those folks, a cordless vacuum makes the most sense in 2024. They’re lighter and easier to maneuver than traditional, upright vacs, and some of them even come with self-emptying bases like their robot counterparts do. These are some of our favorites that you can still grab for less.

Expired Prime Day deals

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice, and stay tuned to Engadget.com for all of the best tech deals coming out of October Prime Day 2024.

The blazing-fast speeds, extremely low latency, and massive connectivity achieved with 5G technology are changing how mobile media is being perceived. As such, storage solutions need to keep up with the growing demands of the content supply chain. In 2009, 4G introduced the concept of mobile data as an object that is downloaded to a device and is then played back. This innovation led to an increase in the amount of data processed on mobile devices.

For example, more than 500 hours of video content are uploaded in a single minute just on YouTube alone, and 5G is only going to increase how much media can and will be consumed worldwide. In this article, we’ll provide insights on how the 5G innovation will change storage requirements and the way media is consumed on mobile devices.

Connections is the latest puzzle game from the New York Times. The game tasks you with categorizing a pool of 16 words into four secret (for now) groups by figuring out how the words relate to each other. The puzzle resets every night at midnight and each new puzzle has a varying degree of difficulty. Just like Wordle, you can keep track of your winning streak and compare your scores with friends.

Some days are trickier than others. If you’re having a little trouble solving today’s Connections puzzle, check out our tips and hints below. And if you still can’t get it, we’ll tell you today’s answers at the very end.

How to play Connections

Hints for today’s Connections

We can help you solve today’s Connection by telling you the four themes. If you need more assistance, we’ll also give you one word from each group below.

Today’s themes

• RUMMAGE
• SOUNDS OF THUNDER
• WAYS TO WEAR YOUR HAIR UP
• THINGS THAT CAN HAVE LEAVES

One-answer reveals

• RUMMAGE – COMB
• SOUNDS OF THUNDER – CLAP
• WAYS TO WEAR YOUR HAIR UP – BRAID
• THINGS THAT CAN HAVE LEAVES – BOOK

Today’s Connections answers

Alongside its new family of Arrow Lake desktop hardware, Intel today also gave us a few tidbits around its upcoming Arrow Lake H mobile chips for high performance laptops. First off, they’re not expected to arrive until the first quarter of 2025 — but the slight wait might be worth it, as Intel says they will offer powerful new Xe GPUs with XMX. Thanks to that upgrade, the GPU alone will offer four times better AI workload processing than its previous chips, alongside double the ray tracing performance and twice as much cache (8MB L2).

Notably, though, these new chips will still lag behind the company’s less powerful Lunar Lake processors when it comes to NPU and overall AI TOPS (tera operations per second) figures. Arrow Lake H’s NPU will hit 13 TOPS, the new GPU will reach 77 and the CPU will offer 9 TOPS. Taken altogether, it’ll offer up to 99 TOPS of performance. Lunar Lake, meanwhile, sports a 48 TOPS NPU and up to 120 TOPS of system-wide AI performance.

The difference makes sense when you consider what these chips are meant for. Lunar Lake is mostly geared towards ultraportables and slim workstations, while Arrow Lake H chips are targeted at demanding notebooks with desktop-like performance. While they can technically be called AI PCs, Arrow Lake H’s low NPU performance doesn’t meet the bar for Microsoft’s Copilot+ badge (those require at least 40 TOPS NPUs). You’ll be able to run basic AI features, like Windows Studio Effects in video chats, but not more complicated tasks like Recall.

Intel didn’t have many other details to share about Arrow Lake H, but we’ll likely hear more at CES 2025.