Laptop issues: repair or replace? - SV650.org

Gazza77 · 10-08-09, 03:05 PM

I have a 5 year old Dell Inspiron that has seen better days, but is still more than adequate for my needs as long as it still works. Problem is, it doesn't. The DVD will no longer recognise discs, the battery is long since goosed, and the power cable is now spliting and is caked in electrical tape.

I only use it for MS Office basic packages, email/internet access, basic photo manipulation and Itunes. I need a laptop to be able to transport it easily as required, and it must have wireless capablities built in, all of which my present one does.

Given I wish to keep costs to a minimum, which is my best option? Replace all the knackered parts or call it a day and get a new one? If a new one, which one?

fizzwheel · 10-08-09, 03:06 PM

I suspect that repairing it will cost more than it would do to replace it with something newer and faster.

At 5 years old I'd be inclined to call it a day and replace it TBH...

SoulKiss · 10-08-09, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gazza77

I have a 5 year old Dell Inspiron that has seen better days, but is still more than adequate for my needs as long as it still works. Problem is, it doesn't. The DVD will no longer recognise discs, the battery is long since goosed, and the power cable is now spliting and is caked in electrical tape.

I only use it for MS Office basic packages, email/internet access, basic photo manipulation and Itunes. I need a laptop to be able to transport it easily as required, and it must have wireless capablities built in, all of which my present one does.

Given I wish to keep costs to a minimum, which is my best option? Replace all the knackered parts or call it a day and get a new one? If a new one, which one?

If you dont need more processing power, it may be worth looking at the Netbook class machines.

Ultraportible, only issue may be the screen size.

Gazza77 · 10-08-09, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoulKiss

If you dont need more processing power, it may be worth looking at the Netbook class machines.

Ultraportible, only issue may be the screen size.

I have considered that, problem is my other half has eyesight problems and wouldn't cope with the screen size. As I am so out of date, I don't know what sort of processing power I need to be able to cope with running Vista without it grinding to a halt. There is plenty out there for under £300, but will it drive me up the wall by being slower than what I currently have?

fizzwheel · 10-08-09, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gazza77

I don't know what sort of processing power I need to be able to cope with running Vista

As much as your budget will allow, but I've found with it that you dont wanna be scimping on the ram either, its got a bad case of resource hunger, the more you give it the better your machine will run...

Get down to PC World and have a look round they had some really good deals on the other day.

Gazza77 · 10-08-09, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

As much as your budget will allow, but I've found with it that you dont wanna be scimping on the ram either, its got a bad case of resource hunger, the more you give it the better your machine will run...

Get down to PC World and have a look round they had some really good deals on the other day.

Whose website do you think I am browsing right now.

Bibio · 10-08-09, 03:20 PM

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/169555

battery/chrger try fleebay

total cost i would suspect £80-100

if its only for office, email and surfing then who needs a mega processor..

timwilky · 10-08-09, 03:35 PM

My usual bugbear, people who say they need laptops.

question 1:- why do you need to transport your puter? and ffs don't say to work

10-08-09, 03:44 PM

well wilky mate im in the same boat eg need new laptop and do the same as gazza but its handy for me to have a laptop due to the internrt connection in my house (read phoneline) is in the stupidest place ever also the wife likes taking it into our spare room to have some queit while shes typing reports, i know your a fully fledged geek so come one answer the question which should i get (300 quid max)

SoulKiss · 10-08-09, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

As much as your budget will allow, but I've found with it that you dont wanna be scimping on the ram either, its got a bad case of resource hunger, the more you give it the better your machine will run...

Get down to PC World and have a look round they had some really good deals on the other day.

Conversely NEVER buy from PC World, they are a bunch of crooks who will mis-sell you a machine.

10-08-09, 03:05 PM	#1
Gazza77 Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Hebden Bridge Posts: 520	Laptop issues: repair or replace? I have a 5 year old Dell Inspiron that has seen better days, but is still more than adequate for my needs as long as it still works. Problem is, it doesn't. The DVD will no longer recognise discs, the battery is long since goosed, and the power cable is now spliting and is caked in electrical tape. I only use it for MS Office basic packages, email/internet access, basic photo manipulation and Itunes. I need a laptop to be able to transport it easily as required, and it must have wireless capablities built in, all of which my present one does. Given I wish to keep costs to a minimum, which is my best option? Replace all the knackered parts or call it a day and get a new one? If a new one, which one? __________________ Formerly Blue K5 with added bits Then Triumph Sprint ST with scottoiler and R&Gs & TOR exhaust Now Benelli Tornado

10-08-09, 03:06 PM	#2
fizzwheel Super Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Somerset Posts: 3,614	Re: Laptop issues: repair or replace? I suspect that repairing it will cost more than it would do to replace it with something newer and faster. At 5 years old I'd be inclined to call it a day and replace it TBH... __________________ Look Dave, I can see you're really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill, and think things over. K5 GSXR 750 Anniversary Edition

10-08-09, 03:20 PM	#7
Bibio Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: here as devil's advocate Posts: 11,569	Re: Laptop issues: repair or replace? http://www.ebuyer.com/product/169555 battery/chrger try fleebay total cost i would suspect £80-100 if its only for office, email and surfing then who needs a mega processor..

10-08-09, 03:35 PM	#8
timwilky Member Mega Poster Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Not in Yorkshire. (Thank God) Posts: 4,116	Re: Laptop issues: repair or replace? My usual bugbear, people who say they need laptops. question 1:- why do you need to transport your puter? and ffs don't say to work __________________ Not Grumpy, opinionated.

10-08-09, 03:44 PM	#9
davepreston Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Laptop issues: repair or replace? well wilky mate im in the same boat eg need new laptop and do the same as gazza but its handy for me to have a laptop due to the internrt connection in my house (read phoneline) is in the stupidest place ever also the wife likes taking it into our spare room to have some queit while shes typing reports, i know your a fully fledged geek so come one answer the question which should i get (300 quid max)

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