Repair or replace your laptop: 5 things to consider | Asurion (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to repair or replace a laptop? ›

But your laptop should last at least 4-5 years. So if yours is 5 years old or more, some laptop repairs may not be worth it versus purchasing a new one. If all you need is a new battery, you might want to consider a repair. If the damage is more extensive, a new computer might be the better option.

Almost any component inside your laptop can be upgraded if necessary. The main components that are usually upgraded include hard drives, RAM, graphics cards, wireless networks cards and processors. Depending on the type of laptop you have, some components may be easier or harder to upgrade than others.

The decision to repair, upgrade, or replace your computer boils down to two primary factors: age and cost. Carefully weigh between the repair/upgrade cost and your device's age. If it is six or more years old, replacing it could be your best option. Upgrade your PC if it is less than six years old.

Consumer laptops often come with a one-year warranty, but you may be able to extend this further if you choose. You can usually expect a consumer laptop to last about 3 years, if it's treated properly. Keep reading, as a bit later we'll go over a few tips and tricks to maintain your laptop and extend its lifespan.

Age of Laptop and Performance

People using laptops five years old or more should consider getting a new laptop in most cases. However, if you bought a laptop with a flagship CPU, and GPU, then the same laptop is worth getting the repair. Also, all this depends upon your usage.

In order to decide if it is time to repair or replace an asset, you must compare the current value of the asset with the cost of repair. Simply, when the cost of repair is less than than the value of that piece of equipment, you should repair it.

If your PC laptop can be repaired for less than 50% of the cost of replacing it, it's probably OK to repair if it's 1-2 years old. If your laptop is 3 years old or older, a replacement is probably better since there is a higher likelihood that you'll need to replace it within a few years.

That means it's important to know how long laptops last, so you can make decisions about price versus longevity. Experts estimate you should get at least four years from a laptop purchase, though 10 to 12 years is the upper limit for any portable.

At what age should you replace a laptop? ›

What is the average lifespan of a laptop? The same concerns about longevity apply to laptops. Most experts estimate a laptop's lifespan to be three to five years. It may survive longer than that but its utility will be limited as the components become less capable of running advanced applications.

1. Motherboard: The motherboard is the main circuit board of a laptop that houses the CPU, memory, and other essential components. Replacing a motherboard requires disassembling the entire laptop and carefully disconnecting and reconnecting various cables and components.

Total cost of laptop repair

The type and severity of problem, cost of replacement parts, and repair time all affect your bill. The average cost of common laptop repairs is $125–300. Average labor cost for laptop computer repair is $50–100 per hour.