Blog · 2026-04-20 · Computer Repair
Should I repair or replace my laptop?
A five-year-old laptop with a broken screen doesn't automatically mean 'buy a new one'. Here's the simple framework we use with clients to decide.
The 50% rule
If the repair costs more than half the price of a comparable new machine, replacement is usually smarter. Under that, repair almost always wins — especially for laptops under six years old.
When repair is the obvious choice
Repair almost always makes sense when the machine still handles what you need day-to-day.
- The battery is worn out but everything else works
- The hard drive is failing and can be upgraded to an SSD
- The RAM can be doubled cheaply
- The keyboard, charging port, or a single key is broken
- It's just slow — a tune-up and SSD upgrade often adds years
When replacement usually wins
Some fixes cost enough that you're throwing good money after bad.
- Motherboard failure on a 5+ year old machine
- Water damage across multiple components
- OS is no longer supported (Windows 10 end-of-life, older macOS)
- You genuinely need more power for new work you're doing
Not sure? Get a real diagnosis first
We come out, tell you honestly whether it's worth fixing, and — if it isn't — help you pick the right replacement and transfer your data. No pressure either way.