shelby
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Post by shelby on Sept 11, 2015 13:19:42 GMT -5
My laptop is not charging and found out it is the charging port that is bad. So that means it needs to be taken apart and have it replaced which my husband is not comfortable doing. We looked into it and it would be about $125 labor and $15 for the part. I bought it about 5 years ago for either $500 or $700 I don't remember. SO my question is has anyone had this sort of things fixed before? Is it worth it? I am worried if we have it repaired it would probably not last long after that or something else will break. I am using the kids computer for work right now so no big rush.
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kittensaver
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Post by kittensaver on Sept 11, 2015 13:55:05 GMT -5
My DH is a computer guy, so the labor costs sound about right. In my book, a computer is always worth repairing until it's old enough that The Industry is no longer supporting it/its configuration (both hardware and software). But that's just me. YMMV.
If there is nothing wrong with the platform you have and you have no virus or malware damage, upgrading becomes a Want, not a Need (NOTE: as a good YM'er I have no problem with a Want, as long as you can afford it without incurring debt ).
DH has clients tearing their hair out right now over Windows 10. He advised everyone to wait until the first set of kinks were worked out, but some did not listen (of course), so now they get to deal with being the unpaid Beta testers for Microsoft . And he is raking in some extra income because of it . ETA: he even told some of them that their equipment was too old to handle Windows 10, but they did it anyway. Now they have a huge, expensive mess on their hands retrieving the data they need IN ADDITION to having to buy all new equipment. Some people just don't listen .
Also remember that computer sales people may lure you into buying a new machine for "only $700," but what they neglect to tell you is often there are significant costs beyond just the machine (new configuration, upgrading multiple software programs to fit the upgraded platform, often peripherals like modems and back-ups need to be upgraded/replaced, etc etc etc).
So take a look at the whole financial picture when deciding to fix vs buying new. JMHO.
Good luck whatever you decide.
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grumpyhermit
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Post by grumpyhermit on Sept 11, 2015 13:56:34 GMT -5
I would not spend $140 to repair a mid to entry level laptop that is 5 years old.
I would probably research online how hard it is to make the repair (YouTube basically has video tutorials for everything), and attempt to fix it. But I am not really shy about messing around with my electronics.
If you mess it up you are only out a tiny amount, and then you can just upgrade a laptop that probably is due for replacement anyway. I tend to only keep mine around for 3-4 years before I replace them.
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dannylion
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Post by dannylion on Sept 11, 2015 14:34:51 GMT -5
Was that price from someplace like Geek Squad? If so, see if you can find an independent computer repair service; they usually charge less per hour. I have a former colleague who has a computer repair business (works from home) and charges about half the hourly rate that Geek Squad does because he has much lower overhead. Since I know his skills are very good, I feel comfortable having him repair/upgrade my computers as needed rather than paying Geek Squad prices. My friend also charges by the half hour. I think the big places charge by full hours, which also makes them more expensive.
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kittensaver
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Post by kittensaver on Sept 11, 2015 14:39:23 GMT -5
Was that price from someplace like Geek Squad? If so, see if you can find an independent computer repair service; they usually charge less per hour. I have a former colleague who has a computer repair business (works from home) and charges about half the hourly rate that Geek Squad does because he has much lower overhead. Since I know his skills are very good, I feel comfortable having him repair/upgrade my computers as needed rather than paying Geek Squad prices. My friend also charges by the half hour. I think the big places charge by full hours, which also makes them more expensive. My DH is one of those independent repair guys. He works for individuals and small offices. He charges $90 per hour (as opposed to $125 at over-the-counter places), and also works by the half-hour. He discounts even a little further for his Seniors (he has a soft spot in his heart for them).
Support your local community and find a local guy/gal . JMHO.
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shelby
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Post by shelby on Sept 11, 2015 14:43:53 GMT -5
It was independent places he called. DH does a lot of electronic computer repairs himself, he looked on youtube and this was pretty hard to do. I don't have it in the budget to buy a new laptop right now, so will get this one fixed just wanting to make sure it would even be worth it. Thanks for all the advice.
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Sept 11, 2015 15:10:52 GMT -5
My laptop is not charging and found out it is the charging port that is bad. So that means it needs to be taken apart and have it replaced which my husband is not comfortable doing. We looked into it and it would be about $125 labor and $15 for the part. I bought it about 5 years ago for either $500 or $700 I don't remember. SO my question is has anyone had this sort of things fixed before? Is it worth it? I am worried if we have it repaired it would probably not last long after that or something else will break. I am using the kids computer for work right now so no big rush. Your situation is exactly like mine a few months ago. Labor $100, part $15 to repair a laptop I paid $550 for about 4 years ago. The computer works fine now. I figure I can get at least two more years out of it. It's an iffy decision because laptops are even cheaper now then they were 4 years ago. Obviously faster also. To be honest, I probably should have just gotten a new one.
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alabamagal
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Post by alabamagal on Sept 11, 2015 15:34:10 GMT -5
New laptops don't cost much, but if you have to buy any new software the costs add up quickly.
Go ahead and get it repaired.
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shelby
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Post by shelby on Sept 11, 2015 16:19:50 GMT -5
I looked on best buy and they have refurbished laptops for as low as $229 only a hundred more than the repair. I only need to be able to login remotely to work, surf the web, use YNAB and stream videos I think that should work.
But yes the software might be an issue I will ask hubby about that.
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kittensaver
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Post by kittensaver on Sept 11, 2015 16:45:08 GMT -5
I looked on best buy and they have refurbished laptops for as low as $229 only a hundred more than the repair. Well technically you could buy a used machine ("refurbished") for $229 or fix the used one you have for $140 or so. Throw in another $125 per hour to have the tech guy tune up your laptop (or see if he can do it within that same hour!) and IMHO you have basically/financially the same machine as the used one from Best Buy. Just sayin' . . .
IMHO refurbished computers are good for people who have NO computer and are on a tight budget. You have a computer so in my estimation (unless there is more to the story than what you have told us) there is no real advantage for merely trading one used computer for another.
However, as always, YMMV. Good luck whatever you decide.
ETA: also remember that the used machine may/will have some of the same costs associated with a new machine: set up/configuration, data migration, etc. That adds to your cost.
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tskeeter
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Post by tskeeter on Sept 11, 2015 18:04:56 GMT -5
If it weren't for your budget constraints, I would say buy a new computer. At fivve years old, the computer is getting to the point where modern software, especially security software, is starting to exceed the capabilities of the hardware.
When I last upgraded a desktop's RAM to accomodate the virus checker software, doubling the RAM only bought me another few months. Then I threw in the towel and bought something configured for the digitally intensive software most other people were running.
However, it might be more appropriate for you to have the laptop repaired to buy you another year or so. And then start saving your pennies to upgrade to something current. Maybe a nice, light tablet, if that meets your needs.
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Sept 11, 2015 19:12:53 GMT -5
The software, depending on what you need, will cost more than a laptop in this day and age.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Sept 14, 2015 9:03:54 GMT -5
Personally I would replace it for that amount of money and it being 5 years old already.
The hard drive went on our Toshiba and we considered replacing it but after pricing out new laptops I found out I could get a brand new one for the same amount/cheaper. We took the Toshiba to Goodwill, they either recycle it or will refurbish to to sell in their store.
I would not do a refurbished laptop, you are going to be getting what you pay for. We got our ASUS laptop, brand spanking new, for $250 at Nebraska Furniture Mart. There should still be some good sales going around for Back to School, and Black Friday isn't too far away. Keep looking.
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Ombud
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Post by Ombud on Sept 14, 2015 9:17:11 GMT -5
ASUS laptop, brand spanking new, for $250 at Nebraska Furniture Mart. There should still be some good sales going around for Back to School, and Black Friday isn't too far away. Keep looking. I won't buy refurbished but I will buy open box. GS1's ASUS laptop that he took to school was $204 + tax at BestBuy. I'll add memory to the netbook for $25 for me. Personal guideline: if repair is over 50% of replacement then I replace. But I've never donated a computer. I pop out memory and recycle. Got a box of those boards
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Ombud
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Post by Ombud on Sept 14, 2015 9:20:01 GMT -5
Doesn't your phone login remotely to work, surf the web, use YNAB and stream videos Granted hard to run spreadsheets on Polaris Office but I'm doing it
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kittensaver
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Post by kittensaver on Sept 14, 2015 9:30:53 GMT -5
As far as "used" goes, Shelby never said anything about the machine being defective or outdated in any way, only that the charging port is bad. That is a very small thing to fix in terms of the overall operation of the device. [Too bad it will be a little expensive for her because she and DH don't feel up to tackling it themselves.] Unless there is more to the story, it sounds like she has a perfectly good used machine and on its face it makes no sense to swap one used machine for another used machine. Having said that, if my computer was being wonky and I'd taken it as far as I could with upgrades, memory expansion and other capacity issues, I'd probably throw in the towel too and get a new one. But as we all know there are costs - sometimes considerable - beyond the initial purchase price. Even discounted/out of the box devices will have additional costs associated with them. If she has not yet maxed out this machine's capabilities, on a financial level it would seem to make more sense to repair, but only she can determine that.
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Ombud
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Post by Ombud on Sept 14, 2015 10:12:08 GMT -5
kittensaver, thats why I'm adding to mine. Works for me, this'll just make it faster
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