Laptop Repair vs Replace: When to Fix Your Old Laptop

Laptop Repair vs Replace: When to Fix Your Old Laptop

One of the most common questions we receive at TechFix Malaysia is: "Is it worth repairing my laptop, or should I just buy a new one?" There is no universal answer — the right decision depends on your laptop's age, the type of fault, repair cost relative to current value, and your performance requirements.

This guide gives you a clear framework to make the decision confidently.

The 50% Rule: The Starting Point

The most widely used rule in the repair industry:

If the repair cost exceeds 50% of the laptop's current market value, replacement is typically the better investment.

For example:

• A 4-year-old laptop worth RM 1,200 today → repair is worth it if it costs under RM 600
• A 7-year-old laptop worth RM 400 today → almost no repair is worth it

"Current market value" means what you could sell the laptop for today on Mudah.my or Carousell in its current condition — not the original purchase price.

The 5-Year Rule

Age adds an important dimension the 50% rule doesn't capture alone.

Under 3 years old: Repair almost always makes financial sense unless the motherboard has failed catastrophically.

3–5 years old: Evaluate case by case using the 50% rule. Most repair types are still worthwhile.

Over 5 years old: Be cautious. Even successful repairs may be followed by additional component failures within 12–18 months. The exception is simple upgrades (SSD, RAM) that give the machine new life.

Over 7 years old: In most cases, replacement is the better investment. Software support windows close, and hardware is no longer powerful enough for modern applications.

Issues Worth Repairing (Repair Signals)

These faults affect a single component, are well-understood, and do not indicate systemic hardware failure:

Cracked or Damaged Screen

A broken screen feels catastrophic but is typically one of the most cost-effective repairs. The laptop itself is fully functional — only the display needs replacement.

Typical cost in Malaysia: RM 250–700 depending on model and display type Worth repairing if: Laptop is under 5 years old and in otherwise good condition

Battery Replacement

Battery degradation is normal and inevitable. Replacing the battery restores full portability without touching any other component.

Typical cost in Malaysia: RM 200–500 depending on model Worth repairing if: Almost always — even on older machines if the rest of the hardware is healthy

SSD Upgrade (from HDD or small SSD)

Replacing a slow hard drive with a modern SSD is the single most impactful upgrade available for most laptops. It extends the useful life of a machine by 3–5 years.

Typical cost in Malaysia: RM 250–550 including migration Worth repairing if: Laptop hardware is otherwise capable for your workload

Keyboard Replacement

Faulty keyboards — especially after liquid exposure or key mechanism failure — are straightforward to replace on most laptop models.

Typical cost in Malaysia: RM 200–500 depending on model Worth repairing if: Laptop is under 6 years old

Charging Port Repair

A damaged charging port prevents the laptop from charging but does not affect any other component. USB-C and proprietary barrel jack ports both can be repaired.

Typical cost in Malaysia: RM 180–400 depending on connector type and motherboard mounting Worth repairing if: Almost always cost-effective

Replace Signals: When to Stop Repairing

These symptoms indicate fundamental hardware failure where repair cost approaches or exceeds replacement value:

Motherboard (Logic Board) Failure on an Old Device

Motherboard repair or replacement is the most expensive laptop repair. On a device over 5 years old, a motherboard repair costing RM 800–2,500 is rarely justifiable when a comparable new mid-range laptop costs RM 1,800–3,500.

Exception: If the laptop has a specialized configuration (high RAM, large SSD, professional GPU) that would cost significantly more to replicate in a new purchase, motherboard repair may still be worthwhile.

Multiple Simultaneous Failures

When a laptop has both a failing battery and a dead screen and a degraded SSD, the combined repair cost likely exceeds the machine's value. Multiple failures on an old device often indicate end-of-life component degradation.

No Longer Supported by the OS

Windows 11 requires specific hardware (TPM 2.0, certain CPUs). macOS drops support for older Mac models regularly. If your OS is no longer receiving security updates and hardware doesn't support the current version, continued use poses a security risk and repair investment is difficult to justify.

GPU or VRAM Failure

Dedicated GPU failures on gaming laptops are expensive to repair (RM 600–2,500 for reballing/replacement) and the repaired GPU often fails again within 1–2 years due to the same thermal stress that caused the original failure. On a device over 4 years old, replacement is usually the right call.

The Environmental Case for Repair

Replacing a laptop generates significant e-waste and carbon. A new laptop manufacturing process consumes 3–4x more energy and raw materials than the energy a refurbished laptop uses in its remaining life.

If your laptop can be repaired to meet your needs for another 3 years, repair is the environmentally responsible choice. Organizations like the Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimate repair extends device life by 3–5 years and reduces lifecycle carbon emissions by 30–50%.

Decision Framework

Work through these questions in order:

1. How old is the laptop? Over 7 years → lean toward replacement unless repair is trivial

2. What is the current market value? Check Mudah.my / Carousell for comparable models

3. What is the repair cost? Get a professional quote before deciding

4. Does repair cost exceed 50% of market value? If yes, replacement is likely the better investment

5. Is the fault isolated (screen, battery, SSD)? Single-component repairs are almost always worth it on machines under 5 years old

6. Is it the motherboard on a device over 5 years old? If yes, replacement is strongly recommended

Get a Free Diagnostic at TechFix Malaysia

We provide honest, no-obligation diagnostics. If replacement makes more financial sense than repair, we will tell you directly — we'd rather give you accurate advice than take payment for a repair that doesn't serve your interests.

Book a laptop diagnostic at TechFix Malaysia →

Our technicians provide a written quote within 24 hours of receiving your device, with full transparency on parts, labor, and expected outcome.