Quandry....

[dwivian]

I have an older laptop computer, business grade, that I use at home. It gets kinda hot to use (I have a lapboard to protect me from the heat and to make sure it gets airflow), but otherwise is pretty okay. Good graphics adapter, good sound, reasonable disk, lots of battery. I bought extra memory, and integrated WiFi card, and a second battery for the media bay to be sure it can run for a while.

So, of course, the backlight and inverter have flaked on me. To replace the video elements (I'm not about to take this thing apart myself) will be $1000, about.

To replace the computer outright with something that will last another five years or so (I got this computer via a previous employer, and have since worked in banking, commercial construction, consulting, and at my current job. Yah, I buy stuff to last a while...), I will have to spend $2300 or so. This gets a solid computer, but is over double the cost of the repair.

I'm in a quandry....

What would YOU do?

(If I get a new computer, this one will be a head-less microserver for our pictures, to be stored in the basement with our router, so it's not about to go to waste either way....)

Comments

[jost.livejournal.com]

When I reach the point of at least 33% of the value of a replacement when it comes to computers, I bite the bullett and buy new. Yes, it would only be $1000 to replace the video components of your current machine. But tomorrow it's the keyboard or the disk controller or the fan. It's not a matter of if, but when, another costly and potentially deadly hardware failure occurs. At least with a new machine, you have parts under warranty from the manufacturer. And, of course, a new toy.

[sylphon.livejournal.com]

*I* would likely get a new computer. Especially since you have a use in mind for the old one. It's been my experience with laptops that once you start sinking money into them due to old age, more and more will go wrong. it costs more to buy a new one, but then you'll have a new server (old laptop) and a new one that'll last you many more years until it becomes a server and is in time replaced :-)

[swmbo.livejournal.com]

Get a new computer - 1k is a lot for a computer that will probably quickly be out of date anyway.

[shes-precious.livejournal.com]

Mine gets hot like that too. I'm going to buy one of those fanboards for it to sit on.

I say buy a new one. No laptop is worth that kind of repair money to me.

[cavalaxis]

Baby needs a new pair of shoes - er, processors.

Go new. And continue to milk that one while you can.

[spicada.livejournal.com]

I agree with everyone else. Buy a new one.

To repair the older one, my mom would say, "Penny-wise, pound-foolish." $1000 does not give you the equivalent of a new computer (which would also come with a new warranty ~ should anything go wrong).

Try unloading the older one of eBay if you can. And invest in a new one.

[yin-again.livejournal.com]

Treat yourself to a new computer. I know you've got the $, and you deserve it. Look at it as a long term investment and trick that bitch out. Then use it for 5 years.

No guilt allowed.

[sumobabe.livejournal.com]

I think you should do whatever your wife tells you to do. That's always the safest course of action for a husband. :)

Seriously, I think it's time to replace it.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

If you don't need the portability, how about plugging a full-size monitor into it (and maybe a keyboard), and using it that way?

Otherwise, I agree with the above.

[dwivian]

I thought about this, and realized that portability is key for me. I tend to do my browsing while watching TV... :)

[kamiandrews.livejournal.com]

more windows

no upgrade