Table of content
Published on: 10.02.2024 | updated on: 11.04.2024
Laptops have greatly eased our lives, be it from the aspect of learning, working, or watching Netflix when you’re bored. However, as time goes by, laptops may run into issues either due to mishandling or just due to the age of the device. Fortunately, you can easily repair your device and get it up and running, but with newer generations boasting cutting-edge features being introduced each year, it can be a little difficult to catch up with your current device.
So, if you are wondering whether to repair your computer, upgrade it, or replace it with a newer device, we have got you covered. Below, we have compiled a thorough guide aimed at helping you make an informed decision based on your computer’s age, technology, and repair feasibility. So stay tuned and keep reading until the end.
Like any other electronic device, laptops can face many issues, especially the older models. Investing in a new laptop can cost over one thousand dollars. The price may be less or more depending on the make and model. Due to the price point, many users prefer to get their computers fixed instead of buying a new one. But is it worth it? Well, that is based upon various factors such as your laptop model, age, and type of damage. Repairing your laptop is undoubtedly a cost-effective solution that can increase your device’s lifespan, especially if it doesn’t have any other issues.
Should I repair my current laptop or buy a new one? This question first pops up in your mind when your laptop is facing issues such as a cracked screen, overheating, or damaged battery. Repair costs largely depend on the type of laptop damage. Minor issues such as keyboard or battery replacement are inexpensive, and you can fix these yourself. However, serious damage, such as a faulty graphic card or an issue with the motherboard, may be costly to repair, with prices sometimes getting close to or even exceeding the cost of a new laptop. But, if your laptop is not too old and doesn’t have any other issues, repairing it may be a wise decision, especially if the repair cost is not a lot.
Purchasing a new laptop, on the other hand, gives you many benefits in terms of advanced technology, the latest features, and, most significantly, a warranty that will cover your device damage for a certain time period. When deciding between repairing the old laptop or buying a new device, it’s important to not only consider the financial aspects but also how the latest features are going to meet your requirements.
If your laptop is facing issues, you have two options to fix it. You can either DIY or get the device fixed by a professional. Listed below are the advantages and disadvantages of DIY repair and the benefits of considering professional repair:
Here are the advantages of DIY laptop repair:
Doing your own laptop repairs can save a significant amount of money compared to taking it to a repair shop. You avoid labor charges, which are often a major part of the total bill from a repair shop. Any tools or parts you need can be purchased relatively inexpensively. There's also no cost for gas or transit to drive to a repair shop multiple times.
Attempting DIY laptop repairs allows you to gain hands-on experience opening up your laptop, diagnosing issues, and fixing basic problems. Even if you can't always fix the issue on your own, you'll learn more about how your PC works. This can help you troubleshoot or prevent problems in the future.
Rather than waiting for days or weeks without your laptop, depending upon the schedule of the repair shop, you can DIY and fix your device much quicker.
Below are some of the disadvantages of repairing the laptop yourself:
Attempting to diagnose issues and complete repairs yourself often takes more time compared to an experienced professional. You have to carefully research the problem, order any needed parts, wait for delivery, watch tutorial videos, etc. The actual repair can also take longer if you're inexperienced and learning as you go.
Lack of experience with opening up electronics and computer hardware means a higher risk of messing up components during the repair. If proper precautions or troubleshooting isn't done, DIY repairs may only appear to fix the issue temporarily or could end up causing additional problems due to improper installation or damage to other parts.
Benefits of Professional Repair Services
Though DIY can save considerable time and money, provided you already have the tools and the knowledge to diagnose and fix the issue, a professional repair service has multiple benefits that can help you in the long run:
Professional laptop repair services are better than DIY in many ways:
Experienced repair technicians have expertise in swiftly diagnosing all types of computer issues and performing necessary fixes correctly the first time. They have specialized tools and testing equipment as well as other components on hand for faster turnaround.
Authorized repair shops have access to high-quality parts to accommodate various models and companies of laptops, including Dell, HP, Asus, and Apple.
Reputable repair services such as Simply Fixable provide at least a 90-day warranty on their repairs. If any issues arise within this period, you can bring your device back for further inspection and repair without any cost.
The cost to repair a laptop varies significantly depending on the manufacturer and the model. Repair cost is also impacted by your choice of repair service or if you’re opting for DIY repair.
DIY is an affordable repair option if you have the right skills as well as the tools to perform the procedure. Depending on the nature of your laptop damage, a repair kit may cost around $37.99. However, the price of parts may vary according to the type of damage.
You have two repair options for your computer: the manufacturer’s official repair store or the local repair store in your area. Official repair stores may fix your laptop for no cost if it’s still under warranty (defects only). Without a warranty, it will cost you hundreds of dollars for a single component repair. For instance, the repair cost of a Macbook screen at Apple is between $400 and $700. However, at a local repair store, the average cost for the MacBook screen replacement is $404.38.
The current computer market is full of exciting new models that are built with specific use cases in mind. Some laptops specifically target professionals, gamers, multimedia users, and more, depending strictly on their use. From lightweight ultrabooks to powerful gaming laptops and more, we have listed below some of the most popular devices on the market currently:
The MacBooks are a popular choice owing to their sleek design and powerful performance. The latest models feature Apple's latest chip, offering exceptional speed and efficiency. MacBooks are the top choice for people who work in the creative fields as they offer exceptional display, long battery life, and power to run heavy software.
While Lenovo's Legion and ThinkPad series are popular amongst users, HP's Envy and Spectre series and Dell's XPS series offer the finest Windows experience with lightning-fast speeds and premium quality materials. These devices are excellent for several reasons, be it high-graphic applications or managing intense workflow. Their latest processors, high-resolution screens, and lightweight do an excellent job handling complex tasks.
The gaming laptop market has seen significant advancements, with brands like ASUS, MSI, and Alienware offering models with high-refresh-rate displays and top-tier graphics cards like NVIDIA's RTX series. Gaming laptops are designed for high performance, catering to gamers and creators who require powerful graphics capabilities and powerful processors to run heavy games without slowing the device.
Brands like Lenovo, HP, and Acer continue to innovate in the ultrabook and convertible laptop market. These devices are known for their lightweight, long battery life, and flexibility, with some models offering 360-degree hinges. These devices are ideal for users who prioritize portability and versatility.
Listed below are some things to keep in mind before deciding whether to repair an older computer or purchase a newer model:
If your PC is over 3-4 years old, you might want to purchase a new device. Modern computers come with much faster processors, better graphics, faster drives, more RAM, and upgraded displays compared to previous generations. These devices offer higher speed, greater multitasking and graphics capabilities, and crisper video/audio quality that may make upgrading compelling.
If your existing computer is still functionally capable of meeting your usage needs like web browsing, office work, media consumption, etc., then repairing it may make more financial sense than replacing the system entirely. The cost to fix many common issues like battery replacement, keyboard issues, or minor component faults is likely considerably cheaper than buying a whole new laptop. As long as the repairs restore satisfactory performance and reliability, you can stick with your existing system for more years before upgrading it.
Evaluate if your laptop lacks any newer features you desire for your work or personal use. For example, if you now require touchscreen functionality, a backlit keyboard, or a higher resolution display that your current device does not provide, upgrading may be justified. If you use specialized creative software, gaming apps, or development tools that demand more resources, a new PC will offer you greater value.
If your laptop is over 5 or more years old at this point, its hardware specs and software compatibility are likely dated compared to current technological standards. Modern laptops feature significantly more powerful processors, improved graphics, and more RAM/SSD storage, along with other improvements.
Attempting repair of a 5+-year-old device may fix some issues, but only up to a certain point. Its functional or design limits will eventually restrict you from improving performance beyond a certain point. You may improve RAM or install SSD, but an old repaired device will never come close to the raw power of a new and current device.
An older dual-core Intel Core i3 or i5 processor with integrated graphics will struggle with heavy applications or software. The lack of an SSD alone will make an old hard disk drive-based system feel excruciatingly slow compared to new machines. Depending upon the age of the device, you may also face issues running or even installing the latest Windows 11 update on your older device, as it will fail to meet Microsoft system requirements over time.
In short, a repaired 5+-year-old laptop is only best suited for very lightweight duties such as web browsing and basic use. It will hit walls with gaming, design work, multitasking, and switching between a dozen browser tabs. Unless it's an absolute basic secondary machine, you will likely feel the performance constraints very quickly after repairing an old laptop.
If your laptop is still covered under the original 1-year limited warranty the manufacturer provides, getting it repaired through the vendor’s authorized service center is likely the best option. The warranty usually covers the replacement or repair of defective parts and labor charges at no additional cost. Furthermore, some manufacturers like Dell allow customers to extend their warranty to offer users extended protection. Extended warranties cover component failures beyond the typical 1-year mark.
On the other hand, third-party local repair shops may provide the most cost-effective solution for damage-related failures like cracked screens or liquid spills that standard warranties exclude. The same applies if the laptop's extended warranty has already expired.
Getting your laptop repaired by professionals can certainly restore and even improve performance. Upgrades like adding more RAM or swapping traditional hard drives for SSDs provide noticeable boosts in speed during boot-up and loading applications. Even just a thorough cleaning, replacement of thermal paste on the CPU/GPU, and update of drivers can significantly improve responsiveness caused by years of dust build-up.
However, the degree of improvement depends greatly on the age of your machine. Refurbishing a 4+ year old laptop with entry-level specs will only take you so far. There's also the risk of decreased user experience if repairs are poorly done or of low quality. Therefore, it is very important to consider the quality of the repair services before handing over the device and the cash. But when done right by reliable professionals, the huge convenience of getting back up and running on your existing machine setup instead of adjusting to a brand-new PC can outweigh even slight cosmetic repairs or marginally dated components.
Long story short, a reliable repair will guarantee you faster performance, enhanced user experience, and usability. With minor upgrades or repairs, you can keep your device functional and durable for years to come.
If you are planning to upgrade your computer, it’s important to weigh some factors before making a decision to ensure that your new machine aligns with your budget as well as your requirements:
For everyday use such as streaming, browsing, or light work such as using MS Office, you can invest in a mid-range and lightweight laptop such as HP ProBooks. Some other lightweight and portable laptops include MacBook Air, Asus ZenBook, and HP Spectre.
If you work in the creative industry, as a graphic designer, or in media, you should look for a powerful CPU such as i7 or i9, and it should have at least 16GB of RAM and a high-resolution display. Some great options are the MacBook Pro and XPS 15 laptop by Dell.
If you love playing games, then you should buy a computer with a high-end GPU, enough SSD and RAM to handle heavy games and updates, and, most importantly, a high-resolution display. Some great gaming laptops are Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 and Legion Pro 5 by Lenovo.
When deciding on an upgrade, assess your needs, compare costs and features, and then go for a laptop that meets your budget as well as requirements.
Here are some of the most common issues faced by laptop users:
A faulty battery is the most common reason your laptop won’t turn on. Check the cable, and if there is nothing wrong with it, the battery needs to be replaced.
A damaged charging port or battery may lead to this issue. Try cleaning the charging port with a soft brush, and use a different charger to identify if the issue is with the battery. If the problem still persists, consider getting the laptop repaired by a professional.
Overheating can happen due to the dust or debris stuck in the laptop’s vents. Try cleaning the vent by blowing the dust out through compressed air. If the overheating still continues, the fan might need to be replaced.
A drained battery, an issue in hardware components, or software bugs can lead to a black screen. Try updating the display driver and performing a system restore. If these solutions don’t work, take your laptop to a local repair service in your area.
Software bugs or damaged hardware components are the common culprits that cause your laptop to restart. Update your laptop’s system to fix the software bugs. In case of damaged components, get your laptop diagnosed and repaired by a professional.
Damage to the screen or dust on the display can affect the touch functionality. Clean the dust with a soft cloth, and if the screen is cracked, get it replaced immediately by a reliable repair store.
Power-intensive applications or damaged batteries can drain the battery very fast. To fix this issue, avoid using power-hungry apps for a while, especially when the laptop is charging. If the issue still persists, consider getting the battery replaced.
Exposing your laptop to liquid can cause corrosion of the hardware or even lead to short circuits. If such a situation occurs, turn off the laptop immediately and let it dry completely. If you notice any signs of internal damage, visit a repair store to get the diagnosis.
The ultimate decision between whether you should repair or replace your old laptop involves several factors to consider, including your budget, the age of the laptop, how you use it, and the personal importance of new features. If your computer is less than 3 years old, getting it professionally repaired is likely the smarter economic choice rather than replacing the device.
But, if your device is older than 5 years and noticeably slow in meeting today’s application requirements, spending on a new device makes replacement a justifiable investment. You may choose to repair or upgrade it with a better RAM/SSD, but it will only extend the age for several years until an upgrade becomes a necessity.
Tech Writer | Photographer
LinkedIn: Madiha Khadim
Madi is a dynamic tech writer with a passion for simplifying complex concepts. Her expertise lies in creating clear and concise guides, blogs, manuals, and tutorials that empower users to navigate the technological landscape with ease. Throughout her career, Madi has worked with numerous leading tech companies, collaborating with engineers, developers, designers and marketers to create user manuals, FAQs, troubleshooting guides, and tech articles, on the websites such as "Technology Castle" and "Bilzimo". She can transform intricate technical jargon into user-friendly language, empowering users to understand and utilize products effectively.
State
Discover a stores nearby
Search by a zip code|city|state
Search in 12 partners, 7 state