A laptop that is slow, cracked or barely holds a charge does not always need replacing. Many common faults are quick to repair, and an upgrade can give a machine years more use. Here is how to decide, and what to do before you hand a device in.

Repairs that are usually worth it

If the rest of the machine works well, these repairs often cost far less than a new laptop and fix the problem for good.

  • A new battery, when the laptop dies within an hour or only works on the charger
  • A replacement screen, when the glass is cracked or the display flickers but the laptop is otherwise fine
  • A solid state drive (SSD) in place of an old hard drive, which is usually the biggest speed boost available
  • More memory (RAM), when the laptop slows down with a few programs or browser tabs open
  • A new charging port or keyboard, both common wear points
  • A fresh install of Windows or macOS, when years of software have slowed it down

When replacing makes more sense

  • The motherboard has failed on an older machine
  • The repair would cost close to the price of a laptop you would actually buy
  • It no longer receives security updates or cannot run the software you need
  • Several parts are failing at once
  • Parts for the model are no longer available

Three questions to ask first

How old is it, and does it still get updates? A laptop that runs a supported version of Windows or macOS is usually worth keeping going.

What would it cost compared with the replacement you would really buy? Compare the repair with a like-for-like machine, not the cheapest one in the shop.

Is the rest of it in good shape? A laptop with a good screen, keyboard and battery that only needs one repair is a strong candidate. One that needs three repairs is not.

Making an older laptop faster

Most slow laptops are held back by an old hard drive or too little memory. Moving to an SSD shortens start-up and makes programs open quickly, and adding RAM lets you keep more open at once.

Together, an SSD and a memory upgrade often make a three or four year old business laptop feel new for everyday work.

Before you hand a device in

  • Back up your files, because some repairs can erase the drive
  • Write down the model and serial number, usually on a sticker underneath
  • Note which accessories you are handing over, such as the charger
  • Never share your password. If a technician needs to test something that needs a login, sign in yourself
  • Ask whether a replacement part is original or compatible, so you know what you are getting