Repair or replace laptop?

[DoYouKubuntu]

As noted in other threads, my 'real' laptop, the HP with a nice big screen, is in the process of dying. Its cooling fan is out, its NIC is failing, its battery is at 48% capacity, and...I think I'm missing something, but I can't think of it right now. Anyway, opinions wanted on whether to repair the laptop or replace it. It's three years old, I love its big screen and full-sized keyboard--including a separate numeric keypad, just like a desktop's keyboard. It's still lightning fast and totally fits my needs. A new HP laptop [with a 17+" screen] can be had for $400-$700.

With desktops, I'd do all of the repairs myself, but with laptops my only real experience is with hard drives. I don't know what's involved with replacing all the parts that are failing, whether to do it myself or have it done for me, and how much it'll all cost. I'm thinking that a new laptop is the better choice.

Thoughts?

[claydoh]

youtube and google searches may bring up good dis-assembly videos and tutorials, which might help you decide if it is worth the effort. Consumer grade laptops are more difficult to work on than business class ones. Often prying up plastic bezels is scary as heck but necessary, as well as disconnecting those ribbon things for keyboards, etc that have tabs or clips that are easily broken if patience is not taken.

There is not an awful lot to replace on these, but but a fan/heatsink should not be outrageous, as should the nick, if it is in a separate little board.

Again, it boils down to how hard you think it will be to do - videos will make it obvious.
Me, my 6 year old Dell latitude was designed to be taken apart, which has helped keep me from having to buy something I cannot afford or justify buying.

Having said that, a new lappy is the way I'd go if I could whee! new!! shiny!!!

[HalationEffect]

If you do decide to do a DIY disassemble-repair-reassemble procedure, I'd suggest video recording the entire disassembly process (or at least take still photos of each step if you don't have a camcorder).

When it comes time to reassemble the laptop, if you have trouble remembering where things went, or in what order, you'll have a visual record to refer to.

[GreyGeek]

Many laptops are designed specifically to make DIY repairs difficult or impossible. One way, for example, is when the instructions tell you to pull the ribbon cable connecting the keyboard to the mobo. You grab the plastic tag which is supposed to make the process easy, pull on it, and to your amazement the plastic assembly holding the connection prongs falls apart and cannot be re-assembled. The connection on the other end behaves the same. Another trick I ran into attempting to repair an HP dv7 is the way the wires to the display run through the lid pivot mechanism. Many laptops require one or more special tools which, in total, cost over $100.

The micro resistors, capacitors and diodes are made of carbonized plastic with plasticizers. As they heat and cool the plasticizers slowing sublime away, causing the values of those devices to gradually change. Eventually they move out of specifications and the circuits they are part of began misbehaving. Cure: replace mobo and peripheral circuits. That's like lifting the radiator cap and driving a new car underneath it.

Buy a new one, but don't go cheap if you can afford not to. System76 or ZaReason.

[woodsmoke]

I'm way out of the loop on this time wise, but I specifically purchased a Toshiba lappy because, with the removal of just a few screws on different panels, on the BOTTOM one can replace the hard drive, the wireless, the memory, etc.

That is from the BOTTOM.... and I could also, with the removal of a LOT of screws remove the whole bottom plate and remove the "mobo", but it was still connected to the screen, no plug, it is a hardwire so working on it is dicey.

My Vista can ONLY be worked on by removing the upper cover around the keyboard, which is a REAL PAIN, although one can change out the hard drive and memory from the bottom.

Both of their batteries went south several years ago and the cost of a new battery for either of them is well into $175 USD. One would "think" that the battery "pack" could be disassembled and batteries replaced, but no.

a) You "could" just plug it permanently into the wall and use it as a "sound server" or something.

b) If you do decide to go for a new lappy I......personally have been mulling these two considerations for about a year:

i) Do I really want to be fiddling with the hardware nowadays....I've determined for myself, that if the device is physically amenable to fiddling that I can do it, but ...do I "need" to...?

ii) Does my lifestyle now lend itself to purchasing a lappy/tablet combo, wherein the tablet is removable...

I....personally, am leaning toward option two (ii) because I find it personally, NOW, more interesting to fiddling with the plasma active desktop..

the plasma active desktop on an ARM device is few and far between..for devices...

.. do I want to purchase a dedicated tablet for which there are drivers for Plasma Active for that ARM... or do a "i386" install of some kind on a tablet/lappy that will allow easy installation like on a "lappy" or a "tower"...thus being able to "fiddle" with the OS rather than the hardware...

just some thoughts.

woodsmoke

[DoYouKubuntu]

Thanks for all the great feedback so far! I appreciate all of it. But GG said something really important:

Another trick I ran into attempting to repair an HP dv7 is the way the wires to the display run through the lid pivot mechanism.

That's the exact same model I'm dealing with, an HP dv7.

Buy a new one, but don't go cheap if you can afford not to. System76 or ZaReason.

With most things in my life, such as major appliances or vehicles, I buy the absolute best I can afford. And it pays off, as I rarely have any issues with them. But computers are different. I figure that with technology changing as rapidly as it does, and with prices continually falling, I'm better off spending less and seeing how it works out. With that philosophy in mind, two of my current desktops, both HP/Compaq, have been humming along for YEARS (one is 10+, and it's running K5.04) with absolutely no problems. So even with that, I do pretty well! I'd love to buy a more expensive laptop to replace the dying one, but I don't think I can justify its expense.

[GreyGeek]

... I specifically purchased a Toshiba lappy ....

I've supported several Toshiba's in the past and IMO they are well built, long lasting. AND, very compatible with Linux.

[GerardV]

I've supported several Toshiba's in the past and IMO they are well built, long lasting. AND, very compatible with Linux.

I absolutely concur with that, my Toshiba has been getting a flogging but just won't die. The next one will be a Toshiba again for sure.

[SteveRiley]

I've supported several Toshiba's in the past and IMO they are well built, long lasting. AND, very compatible with Linux.

I absolutely concur with that, my Toshiba has been getting a flogging but just won't die. The next one will be a Toshiba again for sure.

You know, reading these reminded me that I once had a Tecra -- my first-ever laptop from an employer. The thing was a friggin' tank (durability-wise, not size). I took a quick look at modern-day Tecra design over at Toshiba's web site and I was impressed. I'll have to keep this in mind.

[GreyGeek]

If I wasn't have such good results with ACER's over the years, Toshiba would be my next choice, followed by Lenovo, on the Commercial side. However, after seeing my son's System76 Gazelle in operation, and hearing his comments about its quality, performance and Linux compatibility, IF I have to buy another laptop it will be a 17" System76.

[Qqmike]

Conversationally ... based on my very extremely limited experience with topic, on the low end with Lenovo, I'd be careful, defined as under, say, $450 or so -- study specs carefully!
No one has mentioned Asus, a brand my research pointed at several months ago, and I love the one I bought (around $850 level, i5, and even Windows 8.1 works pretty good on it with no issues). As for repairs, many of the newer ultra-thins aren't made for user repairs and must be sent to a shop even to replace the battery.

[verndog]

As noted in other threads, my 'real' laptop, the HP with a nice big screen, is in the process of dying. Its cooling fan is out, its NIC is failing, its battery is at 48% capacity, and......
Thoughts?

My thoughts are take it apart. That's what I did. If the cooling fan is out, you need to fix that right away, anyway! I tool my old(real old) Presario apart and just slowly started removing parts. A camera shot or two of the process would help. The fan may be just blocked up somehow.

Anyway, I had nothing to lose and it was educational to see how it was built, if nothing else. I still have the laptop and it still works even after I reassembled it(not parts leftover).


Go here and see if they have your battery replacement:
http://www.batteryship.com/htmlos/ht...16681735609740

[SteveRiley]

Conversationally ... based on my very extremely limited experience with topic, on the low end with Lenovo, I'd be careful, defined as under, say, $450 or so -- study specs carefully!

Indeed. There are major difference between ThinkPads and everything else Lenovo builds. I doubt I'd consider anything non-ThinkPad from their product stable.

[GreyGeek]

Wow, verndog, a Presario? Was it made by Compaq or HP? I'm assuming Compaq, since you said "real old" it could have been made between 2002 (when HP acquired Compaq) and 2007 (when HP began making its laptops in China). If it is between 2002 and 2007 it may be easier to repair because the parts would be more discrete. Since 2007 things have squeezed down and repairs are much more difficult. Either way, the big problem is getting compatible replacement parts at an affordable price. If a repair shop cannot repair a laptop for less than $100-$150 I recommend purchasing a new replacement. Even buying a 2nd hand laptop is risky, considering how poorly low-end laptops are made these days. Last September I went to the annual Nebraska surplus equipment sale. They had about 100 used laptops, IIRC, but only about 20 were less than 7 yrs old. Even broken laptops went for $175. Laptops that worked, like the Dell 630GS, sold for over $250, and it was a model I used in 2005 and until I retired in 2008. Buying 6 to 8 year old used laptops for over $250 is insane. I talked with about a dozen of those who bought the working laptops. Everyone said that they were going to put Linux on them. Those who bought the broken laptops were buying them for parts. That day I decided that if I was going to have to put over $250 into a laptop I might as well add another $250-500 and get a good one -- NEW!

[verndog]

Wow, verndog, a Presario? Was it made by Compaq or HP? I'm assuming Compaq, ... if I was going to have to put over $250 into a laptop I might as well add another $250-500 and get a good one -- NEW!

Yes, Compaq, running a P4 ?! The reason I took it apart was two fold. One of the two USB ports was damaged, and the pins on the PCMCIA port was totally bent together. The previous owner's son did all that.

I agree. If I had to spend $250 for a used laptop, and would up the ante and buy a new one. I always laugh at the refurbished selling point. Like how can someone refurbish LCD monitor. But I see the ads all the time.