Imagine you’re scrolling through social media on your laptop, perhaps listening to your favourite music, when all of a sudden the screen turns black and you’ve no idea what’s just happened. Is it just a dead battery that needs to be charged, or is there something else going on? You may want to try to look into it if you’re already thinking of whether it’s better to repair or replace a laptop.
In many cases, your laptop can be fixed, and often without having to take it into the shop. In some cases, replacement is the only option. How do you know which is which and how can you save money on laptop replacement if that’s the only option available (or the only affordable option)?
Step 1: Diagnose the Problem
If your laptop suddenly died, it could be due to a number of possible issues. For laptops in particular, power issues may be to blame. A dead battery might simply need to be recharged before it can be used again. The battery could, however, be dead for good and you may need to replace the battery or repair the charging port in order to use your laptop again.
In some cases, like with liquid damage (e.g. spilled coffee on the keyboard), the problem could be harder to resolve, especially if the liquid has damaged the components. Promptly soaking up as much of the liquid as possible could minimize this risk and allow you to use your laptop again.
Alternatively, your operating system may have failed to boot and you may need to restart your laptop in safe mode. For many laptop models, you can do this by turning the device on and repeatedly hitting the F8 key for most laptops with Windows 10 & 11, although it may vary.
Step 2: Consider the Costs of Repair
When repairs are unavoidable, the first consideration should be to find out the cost to fix the laptop. As a general rule of thumb, if the repairs will cost less than half the cost of buying a replacement model, it’s worth repairing; otherwise, consider replacement.
Unfortunately, many laptop repairs are quite expensive. Laptop screen repair costs in Ireland and laptop water damage repair costs can easily surpass €100-€200. Motherboard and liquid/water damage, if possible, can cost even more if parts need to be replaced with OEM components.
For a relatively new laptop, the cost of computer repair in Cork or elsewhere in Ireland may be justifiable. For older devices that are perhaps worth a few hundred euros, it’s often better to just replace it with a refurbished or new model.
Step 3: When Is a Laptop Too Old to Repair?
Laptops, like all electronic devices, have a general lifespan and will degrade over time. When a laptop is too old, it will inevitably run into performance bottlenecks, have outdated an operating system, and feature unsupported hardware.
Generally, a laptop should last from around 5-7 years, so as it surpasses five years of age it’s quite normal to start to encounter some problems. If these problems are minor and manageable, by all means continue using it.
Step 4: When to Replace a Laptop Instead of Fixing It
If the problems are major and repairs are needed - and especially if the device is over 7 years old - then it’s often a pretty good sign that it’s time to replace it rather than have it repaired.
Knowing when to replace a laptop rather than repair it is important for saving yourself time and money. For most of us, it comes down to cost and convenience (your time being one of many conveniences), but buying a new laptop can be quite expensive which is why refurbished laptops are a great alternative.
Repair or Replace?
Is it better to repair or replace a laptop? For minor repairs on laptops that aren’t quite 5-7 years old, either try to do it yourself or go take it into a shop for repairs (always get quotes). Sometimes, things like charging port repairs or operating system issues can be resolved at a low price, so naturally go with repairs.
For laptops that are approaching the end of their lifespan and/or have major issues that will cost quite a bit to repair, use it as a sign that it’s time to replace it. No need to spend a fortune on a new laptop, however, if you choose refurbished instead.
Refurbished laptops from certified refurbisher's in Ireland such as Wisetek Store give you access to a great range of products at fantastic prices, sometimes up to 60% cheaper than buying new. Moreover, you can enjoy quick delivery and a comprehensive one-year warranty on all refurbished laptops as well as a generous 30-day return policy for added peace of mind.
Need to Replace Your Laptop? Shop at Wisetek Store
If your laptop isn’t working properly (or at all), the cheapest solution is often to try and diagnose the problem yourself and repair it. When that isn’t possible or easy, consider repairs so long as they’re cheap (often not the case).
When you want or absolutely need to replace your laptop, save time and money by shopping for refurbished laptops and other refurbished electronics and accessories from Wisetek Store. Take advantage of our Back to School discount with 15% off sitewide (Code: SCHOOL15) and various other seasonal offers to save even more on refurbished laptops.