Repair vs replace

Should you repair or replace a laptop?

Use this calculator with typical laptop repair and replacement ranges. Adjust the defaults to match your quote before deciding.

Reviewed by the Fix or Keep editorial team · Updated September 18, 2026

Typical repair range

$120-$600

Planning midpoint: $360

Typical replacement range

$700-$1,800

Planning midpoint: $1,250

Expected life

5 years

A planning average, not a failure date

Typical laptop repair range: $120- $600. Expected lifespan: 5 years.

How to judge the diagnosis

Battery, screen, port, and storage failures are often easier to price than board-level faults or liquid damage. Confirm whether the repair preserves data, seals, and manufacturer features.

Use the calculator's ratio as a starting point, then test the assumptions. A lower repair price is more persuasive when the failed part is confirmed, the rest of the laptop is in good condition, and the repair carries a useful warranty.

What replacement pricing should include

Include accessories, setup, data transfer, software, trade-in value, recycling, and any contract or activation cost in the replacement comparison.

Compare written, all-in totals. A sale price can look favorable until required accessories, installation, disposal, or work on connected systems is added.

Common failures

  • Battery
  • Screen
  • Keyboard
  • Storage drive

Repair signals

  • Battery or keyboard issue
  • High-spec model
  • Repair preserves needed software setup

Replace signals

  • Logic board failure
  • Cannot run required apps
  • Repair exceeds resale value

Safety comes before the calculation

Stop charging or using a device with a swollen battery, excessive heat, smoke, a chemical smell, exposed conductors, or severe liquid damage.

Efficiency and operating cost

Energy savings are usually less important than software support, repairability, security updates, and whether the device still performs the work you need.

Treat projected savings as a range. Utility rates, usage, weather, maintenance, sizing, and installation quality can matter as much as the efficiency rating printed on the product.

Questions to ask before approving work

  1. 1. Will data be erased or transferred?
  2. 2. Is the replacement part new, used, or refurbished?
  3. 3. Will water resistance or calibration be restored?
  4. 4. What repair warranty is provided?

Frequently asked questions

Is it worth repairing a laptop?

Repair is usually easier to justify when the failed part is confirmed, the total is comfortably below replacement, and the item has meaningful expected life left. Use your written quote rather than the default range.

When should I replace a laptop?

Replacement deserves a closer look when several major failures are likely, parts are unavailable, safety or reliability is compromised, or the all-in repair cost approaches a properly calculated replacement total.

Does the 50% rule always work?

No. A cost ratio is useful, but age, condition, warranty, installation cost, reliability, and the consequence of another failure can change the answer substantially.

How accurate are these cost ranges?

They are broad planning ranges. Model, location, labor rates, access, permits, parts, and the exact diagnosis can move a real quote outside the range.

Sources and scope

Planning guidance is informed by manufacturer service information and public resources from U.S. Department of Energy Energy Saver, ENERGY STAR, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall database. Cost figures are estimates, not quotes. See the calculator methodology.