A faulty laptop does not automatically mean a new laptop. Many of the machines that come into our workshop in Martock have a single problem, such as a worn charging port, a tired hard drive or a cracked screen, and are otherwise perfectly good. Others really are at the end of the road. Here is how we help people tell the difference.

Start with how old the laptop is

Age on its own is not the deciding factor, but it matters. A laptop that is three or four years old usually still has plenty of life left, and a repair or upgrade is almost always good value. Once a machine is seven or eight years old, parts can be harder to find and the processor may struggle with modern software, so it is worth thinking more carefully.

Look at what has actually gone wrong

Some faults are quick and affordable to put right:

• Slow start-up and general sluggishness, often fixed with an SSD upgrade
• A loose or broken charging port
• Sticking or missing keys
• Viruses, pop-ups and Windows problems
• A cracked or flickering screen

Other faults are more involved, such as a failed motherboard or serious liquid damage. These can still be repairable, but the cost needs weighing against the value of the machine.

Compare the repair with the cost of replacing it

A useful rule of thumb is to ask whether the repair costs less than half of what a comparable new laptop would cost. If it does, and the rest of the machine is in good shape, repairing it usually makes sense. Remember that a new laptop also means setting everything up again, moving your files across and getting used to a new machine.

Think about what you use it for

If you mainly browse, send emails, shop online and use Microsoft Office, an older laptop with an SSD and a fresh Windows installation can feel like new. If you edit video or play demanding games, an older machine may simply not keep up, however well it is repaired.

Get an honest diagnosis first

The best way to decide is to find out exactly what is wrong. We offer a free diagnosis, and we will tell you plainly if a repair is not worth it rather than charge you for work that does not make sense. Every repair we carry out comes with a 12-month parts and labour guarantee.

If you are in Martock, Yeovil or one of the other towns in our free collection area, we can collect your laptop for free. Further afield, you can use our nationwide laptop repair service.

Get in touch for a free diagnosis and we will help you make the right call.