Smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop, GPS device – are you drowning in digital clutter? If so, you’re not alone. Americans spend more than 43 hours per week on a variety of devices, and nearly half (47 percent) have one or more devices they no longer use at all, a survey by Intel discovered. Spring is a great time to add “cutting digital clutter” to your list of seasonal tasks.
Decluttering your digital life doesn’t mean you have to give up your technology, throw devices away or spend a bundle on replacements. Here are three easy ways to spring clean your digital life this year:
1. Choose more flexible devices.
Technology keeps getting more impressive every year and keeping pace is essential in both the personal and professional realms. Beyond only going for this year’s hottest new tech, look for devices that do more. Tablets, 2 in 1 devices and portable all-in-ones pack versatility and power into a single compact device. Here are three great options of new devices that are powered by Intel:
* Dell Venue 8 7000 Series – The thinnest tablet in the world, this innovative tablet features Intel RealSense Snapshot technology, which allows you to measure, gauge depth, refocus images and bring photos to life with the touch of a finger. An Intel Atom processor gives the tablet lightning-fast performance, and an edge-to-edge infinity display creates an immersive experience for users.
* Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro – Lightweight, ultra-portable and fanless, this 2 in 1 device features the newest Intel Core M processor to better serve your entertainment and productivity needs. A 360-degree hinge allows for different modes, including laptop, tablet, stand and tent, and it has a long-lasting battery to ensure busy users can stay productive while on the go.
* Dell Inspiron 23 – If you’re looking to upgrade your old desktop PC, this all-in-one features a 23-inch screen ideal for watching movies or family game night and at less than half an inch thin is one of the thinnest options in its category. One available model houses the new Intel RealSense 3D Camera, enabling capabilities like gesture control, 3D scanning and 3D printing that bring new ways for the family to have fun together.
2. Donate old devices.
You can spring clean your digital devices and give back at the same time when you donate older devices. From smartphones to desktop PCs, numerous organizations facilitate getting older, no-longer used devices from donors and putting them in the hands of people who need technology but can’t afford to buy the latest tech items.
Check with your local electronics retailer, school district, church or other community organizations to see if they accept device donations.
3. Recycle old devices.
Every 1 million laptops Americans recycle saves enough energy to power more than 3,500 homes per year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Recycling cellphones and other devices also allows for the recovery of a number of valuable metals, including copper, silver and gold. You may sell your gold assets to gold buyers Adelaide. Recycling devices keeps them out of landfills.
The EPA offers a searchable database of device recycling programs on its website. Retailers, device manufacturers and even mobile service providers offer recycling programs. Many cellphone companies offer trade-in programs that allow you to hand in your old device and get a discount on a new one.
Before you donate or recycle, be sure to remove personal information from the device in addition to the battery, which may need to be recycled separately. If you don’t relish the idea of letting go of the device altogether, consider recycling it within your own home. Your old smartphone may no longer meet your needs but it could be a great starter phone for your pre-teen, and that laptop you find too heavy to lug from meeting to meeting may work just fine as a dorm-room device for your college-age child.
