Laptop Repair vs Replacement: Which Makes Financial Sense
From cracked screens to faulty motherboards and malfunctioning hard drives, a whole host of laptop components can break at any given moment.
But is it worth investing in laptop repairs? Or should you replace the device entirely?
There’s no set-in-stone answer. An array of factors determines which option makes more financial sense. To help you wrap your head around the conundrum, we’ve put together this easy-to-understand laptop repair versus replacement guide.
What is the problem?
Your first course of action is to work out what’s wrong.
Some issues are obvious, such as a busted keyboard or a crack in your screen. Other common problems (like a failure to boot or sluggish performance) could be due to various malfunctions: the power supply, bios, malware, and broken internal components or peripherals.
For the non-tech-savvy user, working out what’s wrong may require professional help. Every laptop technician will charge for a diagnosis, though some may subtract that cost from the repair.
Once your diagnosis is done and dusted, you’ll get an estimate on how much it should cost to repair. Or, if you did a DYI diagnosis, you can shop around for quotes.
Can you do a DIY repair?
Not all laptop problems require external help. With a little online research and technical know-how, you may be able to resolve the issue yourself.
You can sometimes rectify performance issues by turning your laptop off and on. This age-old IT helpdesk trick forces all PC processes to stop running and restores the computer to its “initial state”.
An uninstall-reinstall might do the trick when certain apps aren’t performing well. Furthermore, antivirus apps can cleanse nasty threats, while antimalware programs eliminate malicious software like spyware, Trojan horses, and ransomware.
Another somewhat straightforward DIY fix is reformatting your hardware, which is essentially a factory reset. A reformat wipes all data and apps (including your operating system) from your PC and returns the hard drive to its original state. While a reformat won’t fix any hardware issues, it’s a powerful tool for eliminating viruses and corrupted files from your hard drive.
A reformat takes a long time, anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours or more. Make backup copies of your important files before commencing.
How much does the repair cost?
The cost of the repair job is the most important factor when deciding whether to replace or repair your laptop.
As a rule of thumb, if a repair costs more than half what you’d pay to replace your laptop—the same model or an equivalent device—then it’s not usually worth fixing. Most Australian technicians charge around $120 per hour for labour plus parts. Therefore, it doesn’t take much for a repair to become unviable on a cheaper laptop.
Of course, like every rule of thumb, a broad range of variables must be considered.
An upgrade might be in order if your laptop is getting old or doesn’t pack enough grunt. On the other hand, if your hard drive holds crucial business information and you don’t have a backup, you’d happily pay a sizable sum to get that data back.
How old is your laptop?
The age of your laptop is another crucial factor to consider.
Most modern consumer laptops have an average lifespan of around five years. Once this approximate period lapses, the hardware becomes obsolete, and the internal components begin to degrade and malfunction.
To make matters worse, most operating systems stop receiving updates after about a decade. This distinct absence of support leaves your computer susceptible to a plethora of threats—the internet becomes a minefield without ongoing OS protection.
With all this in mind, it may not be worth repairing a five-year-old laptop, at least not if it entails a significant cost.
Repairing a three-to-four-year-old laptop is a bit of a toss-up. If you just need a quick, easy fix, like a new battery or hard drive, search Google for “laptop repairs near me.” But you might be better off with a replacement for more complex and costly repairs.
Got a laptop that’s three years old or newer? A repair usually makes more financial sense than a replacement. But there’s an exception: when your computer isn’t worth much in the first place.
How much is your laptop worth?
The value of your laptop also plays a pivotal role in the repair versus replacement debate.
If you’ve got a top-of-the-line gaming rig or a portable high-powered workstation, a repair will usually be more cost-effective than forking out thousands for a brand-new device. That applies even if it’s an older model or requires extensive (costly) repairs.
But if you’ve been tapping away on a low-cost Chromebook, a replacement will often make more financial sense. Drop your broken laptop off at your nearest electronic recycling centre (most Officeworks stores accept e-waste) so the precious metals within can get reused.
Are you planning to upgrade soon?
Does your laptop blaze through your workflows at breakneck speed? Or do you suffer sluggish performance due to lacklustre hardware?
If your laptop doesn’t quite meet your daily needs, it’s probably time to upgrade anyway. A water-damaged motherboard or another busted component provides a tempting incentive to proceed with a long overdue upgrade.
On the other hand, if your laptop performs perfectly for your day-to-day tasks, a repair might be the smarter choice.
Is it under warranty?
Most new laptops sold in Australia come with a 12-month warranty, which is extendable with an additional fee. Used or refurbished laptops typically come with a 90-day guarantee, though this period may vary.
Got a laptop with an expired warranty you purchased brand new less than two years ago? There’s a good chance Australian consumer law could save the day. Manufacturers must provide a two-year warranty for many brand-new laptops, most notably the more expensive models. This fact isn’t widely advertised, so ask your retailer if it applies to you.
If your now-broken device is still under warranty, the manufacturer is legally obligated to repair it for free. The downside, however, is you shouldn’t expect to get your laptop back anytime soon. The retailer must post it to the manufacturer, and then the manufacturer will put it in a repair queue and post it back to the retailer once fixed. This process could take several weeks or sometimes even months.
Do you need it now?
The final—and perhaps most important factor—is how urgently you need your laptop back. Professionals without a suitable laptop will lose vast chunks of income every day. Home users watching Netflix or scrolling social media, however, might not mind the wait.
While some repairs can be done the same business day (usually with an added fee), others require ordering parts and lengthy delays.
Purchasing a replacement laptop is often the speedier solution. However, some people may prefer to buy a cheap second-hand laptop while waiting for their primary device to be repaired.
Get Cost-Effective Laptop Repairs with Geeks2U
Investing in a laptop repair rather than replacement often makes financial sense, though it depends on numerous factors. From the repair job’s cost to the laptop’s value and how quickly you need it, a whole host of considerations should influence your decision.
If you’re leaning towards the repair route, contact the team at Geeks2U today. Our crafty, laptop-tinkering wizards can resolve most common issues within one hour. On-site and remote servicing is available seven days a week.