Is it worth repairing my laptop, or should I replace it?

It's one of the most common questions I'm asked: my laptop has slowed down, the battery's gone, or something's broken — is it worth repairing, or should I just buy a new one? Here's the honest, no-pressure way I'd think about it.

The simple rule of thumb

If a repair costs less than about half the price of a comparable replacement, it's usually worth doing — especially if the rest of the machine is in good shape. A £60–£90 repair to get another two or three years out of a laptop you already know and like is almost always better value than spending several hundred pounds on a new one.

Repairs that are nearly always worth it

• Swapping a hard drive for an SSD — the single biggest speed boost you can give an older machine.
• A new battery — cheap, quick, and it makes a laptop usable again.
• More RAM — helps if you keep lots of tabs or apps open.
• A cracked screen or failed keyboard — worth it on a machine that's otherwise healthy.
• A clean-out and re-paste for overheating — far cheaper than a replacement.

When replacement makes more sense

If the laptop is very old, the motherboard has failed, or it would need several repairs at once, the numbers often tip towards replacing it. If you do go that way, I can also help you choose the right machine — or build something to suit your needs and budget.

Get a clear answer first

You don't have to guess. I'll diagnose the fault and give you a clear, fixed price before any work begins, so you can make the call with all the facts. Typical prices are on the laptop repair service page. Book a repair or get in touch and I'll take a look.