Repair Or Replace: Which Option Is Best For Your Computer

Over the past few years, the importance of computers has grown steadily. This change was even more noticeable when there was a surge in remote working opportunities around the globe. At that point, computers practically became a must-have for most people.

Unfortunately, a computer can only last so long before it experiences issues like freezing and crashes. So, when this happens, you only have two options: you can either repair the computer or replace it altogether.

Of course, choosing between the two won’t be easy. After all, each option has its respective pros and cons. It ultimately depends on the circumstances. So, how do you figure out if repairing or replacing the computer is the better option? Below are some of the tips to get you started.

1 . Get A Quote From A Computer Repair Agency

Most people go the repair route mainly because it’s a much cheaper option.

In most cases, you may only spend up to a hundred dollars on repairs. On the other hand, buying a replacement would cost several hundred up to a thousand (USD$600 to USD$1,000). However, when a computer has sustained severe damage, a hundred dollars may not cut it. Though it’s pretty rare, you may end up receiving an invoice of USD$200 to USD$500 for repairs.

If that’s the case, it’s much better to replace the computer. To be more precise, if the cost for repairs has exceeded 50% of the cost of buying a new computer, it’s much better to replace it.

• REPAIR if the costs are far lower than the cost of buying a replacement.
• REPLACE if the repair cost exceeds half the cost of purchasing a replacement.

Of course, this requires you to know how much the repair would cost. That’s why it’d be best to get a quote from a repair agency first to know how much you should budget for repairs.

If you’re from around Albert, consider looking into computer repair Calgary to get a quotation.

2 . Consider The Age Of Your Computer

A computer typically lasts around five to eight years. If your computer has yet to reach the five-year mark, any issue it’s encountering is most likely due to a preventable issue. In other words, a repair should fix the underlying problem. On the contrary, if your computer is already over five years old, there’s a good chance the issues it’s experiencing are due to old age.

Unfortunately, these kinds of issues are often unpreventable and inevitable. Therefore, it’s much better to buy a replacement rather than spend money fixing an unfixable problem.

• REPAIR if the computer is less than five years old.
• REPLACE if the computer is over five years old.

You must also remember that older models of computers often aren’t capable enough to run newer software. If you wish to use recently launched software, consider buying a new computer model.

3 . Check How Well Your Computer Is Handling Programs

A lot of programs nowadays require computing power to function properly. Though your computer might still be able to handle these tools now, that may not be the case in the future. After all, CPUs often get slower as dust builds up in the heatsink and the thermal paste deteriorates.

If your computer is barely hanging in there, it might be time to buy a replacement.

But if it’s still completely fine and programs are still working perfectly, repairs should suffice, at least for now.

• REPAIR if your computer is doing well
• REPLACE if your computer is barely running the programs

4 . Assess Your Current And Future Needs

You must also assess whether you’ll need to use intensive programs in the future. For example, if you’re planning on getting a job as a video editor, you’ll eventually have to use intensive programs like Photoshop. In that case, the current specifications of your computer may not cut it, and you have to buy a replacement.

To confirm, simply look into your computer’s specs and compare them with the minimum requirements of the programs you wish to run.

• REPAIR if your computer’s specs fit the minimum requirements
• REPLACE if your computer’s specs are too low for the software

5 . Examine The Operating System Of Your Computer

As you may already know, a computer can come in different operating systems (OS). Examples of these include Windows XP, 7, 10, macOS Catalina, and macOS Monterey.

Though there are several similarities between each OS, they also carry numerous differences. One such difference is the fact that specific operating systems were already discontinued. What this means is they no longer receive updates from the manufacturer. Windows XP, 7, and macOS versions older than macOS 10.15 Catalina are examples of such systems.

If your computer is using a discontinued operating system, chances are you won’t be able to run specific programs despite satisfying their minimum specification requirements. In such cases, it’s better to buy a new computer rather than continue spending money repairing it.

• REPAIR if your computer’s operating system is not yet discontinued
• REPLACE if your computer’s operating system is discontinued

Takeaway

Repair or replace? It’s a simple question, but many people struggle to come up with the right answer. This is because, more often than not, there’s no right answer. It depends on the circumstances.

More specifically, it depends on your computer’s age, performance, operating system, repair cost, and needs. It might be a difficult decision, but at the very least, this article should help you choose the more suitable option.