Should You Repair or Replace Your Computer?

Questions to Ask Before You Decide

Before you buy a new computer or commit to a repair, consider the following:

• How old is the computer? A machine under 5 years old is almost always worth repairing. Over 8 years, the calculation changes.
• What is the actual problem? Software problems, viruses, and slow performance are almost always fixable for much less than a new machine. Hardware problems like a failed hard drive or broken screen are still often worth repairing.
• How much would repair cost vs. replacement? If repair costs more than half the price of a comparable new machine, replacement becomes worth considering.
• Does it meet your needs? If the computer was struggling before the problem, a repair will not make it faster. Upgrading RAM or replacing a hard drive with an SSD can, however.
• Is your data safe? Before doing anything, make sure your important files are backed up. We help with this too.

Common Repairs That Are Almost Always Worth It

• Virus and malware removal
• Slow computer tune-up and cleanup
• Operating system reinstall
• Hard drive replacement with an SSD upgrade
• RAM upgrade
• Laptop screen replacement (on machines under 6 years old)
• Power jack repair

When Replacement Makes More Sense

If the motherboard has failed on an older machine, if multiple components are failing at once, or if the repair cost approaches the value of the machine, we will tell you honestly. We would rather help you make the right decision than do a repair that does not make financial sense for you.

Get a Free Assessment

Comp-u-Doc comes to your home or office in Rhode Island for a diagnosis. We will tell you exactly what is wrong, what it will cost to fix, and whether it makes sense. No pressure, no guessing.