Repair or replace your laptop? How to decide
A practical way to decide, based on age, the type of fault, upgrades and what you use it for.
Questions to ask
- How old is it? Older machines have fewer good years left.
- What is the fault? Screens, keyboards, RAM and SSDs are usually reasonable repairs. Motherboard faults can be costly.
- Is it slow rather than broken? An SSD and RAM upgrade can give an older laptop several more years.
- Can it run Windows 11? Windows 10 reached end of support in October 2025, so a laptop that cannot run Windows 11 is a reason to consider replacing it.
- Are your files safe? Back up before any decision, and ask about data recovery if the laptop will not start.
Repair usually makes sense when
- The machine is fairly recent and the fault is a single part
- The laptop does everything you need except for the fault
- You rely on specific software set up on this machine
Replacing usually makes sense when
- It is old and slow even after an upgrade would help only a little
- The repair cost is close to the price of a similar newer machine
- It cannot run current, supported software
Bring it in or call us. We will tell you honestly whether to repair, upgrade or replace. Start with our laptop repair page, and ask about business-class replacements if you need them.
Common questions
Is it worth repairing a 5-year-old laptop?
It depends on the fault and how you use it. Single-part repairs and SSD or RAM upgrades are often worth it. We will give you a straight answer.
Can you tell me the repair cost before I decide?
We diagnose the problem and explain the repair before work begins, so you can decide.
Do you sell replacement laptops?
Yes. We supply business-class laptops and desktops from all major brands, new or refurbished.
Planning a cabling, camera or IT project?
Tell us about the site and we will come back with a clear quote.