Your laptop is slow, the battery dies fast, or something just broke. Before you spend money on a new one — or a repair that isn't worth it — walk through the same questions we ask customers every day at Gabrielle's Technology Services.
The 50% rule
A good starting point: if the repair costs more than half the price of a comparable new laptop, replacement usually wins. If it costs less — and the laptop is otherwise in good shape — repair is almost always the smarter call.
How old is the laptop?
- 0–3 years: Almost always worth repairing.
- 4–6 years: Depends on the issue and the part cost.
- 7+ years: Usually time to replace, unless the fix is small.
Repair usually makes sense when…
- The laptop is under 5 years old
- It's a software problem: slow, viruses, pop-ups, won't boot
- The battery, keyboard, screen, or charging port needs replacing
- You need more storage or RAM to speed things up
- You like the laptop and it fits how you use it
Replacement usually makes sense when…
- The laptop is 7+ years old and struggling
- The motherboard is failing — often not worth the repair cost
- It can't run current software or security updates
- You've already replaced multiple parts
- Your needs have grown (video calls, photo editing, gaming)
Common issues, honest advice
Slow performance
Almost always fixable. A cleanup, an SSD upgrade, or more RAM can make an old laptop feel new for a fraction of the replacement cost.
Cracked screen
Worth repairing on newer laptops. On older ones, price the part first — some screens cost nearly as much as a new machine.
Won't turn on / liquid damage
Get it looked at before assuming the worst. Sometimes it's a simple fix; sometimes the motherboard is gone. We'll tell you honestly which one it is.
Battery won't hold a charge
Usually a cheap, quick fix. Not a reason to replace the laptop.
Viruses, pop-ups, or hijacked browser
Always a repair, not a replacement. A proper cleanup restores the machine.
Don't forget your data
Whichever path you choose, get your photos, documents, and passwords backed up first. If you're replacing the laptop, we handle the full move — email, files, browser bookmarks, and settings — so nothing gets lost.
Computer Repair
Diagnosis, cleanups, upgrades, and hardware fixes — no jargon.
New Device Setup
We move everything over from the old machine so you're ready to go.
Not sure which is right for you?
Call and describe what's happening — we'll give you an honest recommendation before you spend a dime.