First, you should clean your laptop regularly.  You should never use water to do so, as it can get inside the computer and damage the internal components.  It is recommended that you purchase and use special electronic cleaning products or, at minimum, use rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab or q-tip to clean the keys on the keyboard.  You can also purchase cans of pressurized air to clean out all the dust particles that accumulate in between the keys.  Finally, be sure to clean the computer screen on a regular basis with a soft cloth.

You should always carry your laptop computer in a protective case.  The case will keep the computer from being exposed to too much sunlight or water when you are carrying it outside and it will also keep the computer partially insulated—especially, if it gets jarred around in your vehicle or the like.  Further, it is better that you purchase a separate carrying case for your laptop: you don’t want to pack all of your belongings into one bag, only to have your belongings ruin your laptop by scratching it or crushing it beneath the weight of everything else you are carrying with you.

 Finally, it is important to protect your laptop computer at all times.  Never leave it in an area where it can be exposed to extremely high or low temperatures, don’t pick it up incorrectly, or slam the computer carrying bag down on a hard surface while the laptop is inside of the bag.  In the end, taking the above necessary precautions will increase the lifespan of your laptop computer.