Is It Worth Repairing Your Laptop? A Cost-Effective Guide

When your laptop starts acting up or sustains physical damage, the first question that comes to mind is whether it’s worth repairing or if you should just buy a new one. The answer depends on several factors, including the age of your laptop, the cost of the repair, and the original purchase price.

Laptop Depreciation and Repair Cost

As a general rule, laptops depreciate by about 30% each year. If the cost of a repair is more than 25% of the original purchase price, it may not be worth fixing. For example, if you paid $500 for a laptop and the screen cracks in the second year, you shouldn’t pay more than $125 to have it repaired. Anything higher than that, and it’s probably better to replace the laptop.

Factors to Consider When Deciding to Repair or Replace

When deciding whether to repair or replace your laptop, consider the following factors:

Age of the laptop: If your laptop is less than two years old, it’s generally worth repairing. For devices between 2-5 years old, the decision depends on the issue and the likelihood of it happening again.
Cost of the repair: Compare the repair cost to the original purchase price and the cost of a new or equivalent model.
Likelihood of future issues: If the repair is for a common problem, it may be worth considering a replacement to avoid future issues.
Data transfer: If you have important data on your laptop, the cost and hassle of transferring it to a new device should be factored in.

Remember, even if you decide to replace your laptop, there’s no guarantee the new one won’t suffer the same fate as the old one. Accidents can happen to any device, so it’s important to treat your electronics with care.