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IT Support · 28 Apr 2026 · 1 min read

Repair or Replace? How to Decide What to Do with a Failing Laptop

A practical way to decide whether a faulty laptop is worth repairing or should be replaced.

When a laptop starts failing, the decision to repair or replace is not always obvious. A few questions make it much easier.

How Old Is It?

Most business laptops are designed for a working life of around three to five years. Beyond that, repairs become more frequent and performance lags behind current software.

Is It Still Supported?

If the device cannot run a supported operating system, replacement is usually the right choice, whatever the repair cost.

What Is the Repair?

  • Worth repairing: batteries, keyboards, chargers, screens and storage upgrades on relatively new devices.
  • Often not worth it: motherboard failures on older models, or several faults at once.

What Does Downtime Cost?

If a repair takes a week, the lost productivity may be worth more than the laptop. A spare device or a quick replacement can be the better business decision.

Don’t Forget the Data

Before any repair or disposal, make sure data is backed up and that old drives are securely wiped.

I handle laptop issues from diagnosis to repair or replacement, sourcing parts and devices through trusted suppliers. Get in touch.

Darren Grech

Independent IT consultant in Malta, specialising in infrastructure, security, AI and iGaming technology, with 14+ years in IT and operations.

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