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How to Decide Whether to Replace or Repair a Computer

New computers have become so inexpensive that people often believe replacing a computer has better value than repairing it. However, new computer prices are low partly due to cuts in build quality, parts quality, and included hardware. Repairing a good computer by spending up to 10 to 20 percent of its original cost is a better value than a new machine, unless you will receive a significant speed and performance increase.

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    Difficulty:
    Moderate

    Instructions

    Things You'll Need

    • Computers
      • 1

        Find out if the repair is covered by manufacturer's warranty or an extended service agreement.

      • 2

        Get a free estimate, if repair shops in your area will provide one. If not, find out the hourly labor charge.

      • 3

        Expect to pay $60 to $80 per hour for labor in U.S. cities, with a 1-hour minimum charge, and twice as much for on-site repair.

      • 4

        Find out how long a repair will be warranted. Most shops warrant repairs for 60 to 90 days.

      • 5

        Expect a hard drive and a power supply to last 3 to 6 years, expect the life of other mechanical drives to vary depending on usage, and expect electronics to last many years.

      • 6

        Remember that one third of computers are repaired each year.

      • 7

        Repair your computer if the repair costs less than $200, and the machine's performance and functionality are completely satisfactory.

      • 8

        Replace your computer if you are willing to buy a computer that is better in every way, or if you need a repair that costs more than $500.

      • 9

        Buy a new machine if you have a 486 PC or 86040 Macintosh or older. If you are reading this by mid-2000, buy a new machine if your CPU is less than 100 MHz.

      • 10

        Choose a new machine if you are using Windows 3.1.1 or older.

      • 11

        Get a new machine if your current computer lacks specific functionality that you want or need.

      • 12

        Expect a new computer to come with at least a 1-year limited warranty.

    Tips & Warnings

    • Do not have your computer repaired with refurbished parts.

    • Repair your computer if the power supply, hard drive and CD drive have already been replaced.

    • Replace your computer if you will need to rent or lease one for several weeks while yours is being serviced or awaiting parts. (Renting a computer can be exorbitantly expensive.) Understand that computer manufacturers can be slow to send proprietary parts, or may no longer stock them.

    • If you diagnose the problem yourself, remember that replacing the part you believe is malfunctioning may not solve the problem.

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    Comments

    • theperfectfit Jan 08, 2009
      I am on my fourth computer. The first one eventually did not meet my needs. The second one eventually blew the hard drive and I lost everything. The third was purchased quickly to replace the other one and it did not meet my needs. The one that I have now I had built four years ago. I run three printers off of it. I not only have a backup battery, I also use an Acronis backup to protect my daily work. One friend of mine lost a hard drive for her business. She spent $1400 to get her data back. Backup, backup, backup!
    • velnetworks Oct 17, 2008
      Really cool one and worth it ...kudos to all the posts..
    • velnetworks Oct 17, 2008
      Really cool one and worth it ...kudos to all the posts..
    • Angie Shiflett Oct 12, 2008
      Great article loaded with a lot of useful information!
    • Angie Shiflett Oct 12, 2008
      Great article loaded with a lot of useful information!

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