It's the question we get asked almost every week at BITS Perth: "My laptop's playing up — is it worth fixing, or should I just buy a new one?" The honest answer depends on a few key factors, and getting it wrong can cost you hundreds of dollars unnecessarily.
With the average decent laptop costing $800–$1,500 in 2025, a well-targeted $150–$300 repair can often buy you two to four more years of productive life. Here's how to think through it properly.
The 50% Rule: Your Starting Point
A common industry guideline is the 50% Rule: if the cost of repair exceeds 50% of the cost of a comparable replacement laptop, leaning toward replacement usually makes more financial sense.
For example: if a similar new laptop would cost $900, and the repair quote is over $450, that's borderline territory where the age and condition of your current machine matter a lot.
When Repairing Almost Always Makes Sense
Repair (Good Value)
- Your laptop is under 4 years old and was mid-to-high spec when purchased
- The issue is a cracked screen, faulty keyboard, worn battery, or broken port
- You need an SSD upgrade or RAM boost (often $100–$250 and transforms performance)
- Virus or malware removal — almost always cheaper to clean than replace
- Slow performance on a relatively new machine (usually a software or storage issue)
When Replacing Usually Makes More Sense
Replace (Better Long-Term Value)
- Your laptop is 6+ years old and struggling with modern software
- The motherboard, GPU, or CPU is faulty (often $400+ to repair)
- You've already had multiple repairs in the past 12 months
- It can't run Windows 11 and will lose Microsoft security updates soon
- The repair cost exceeds 60% of a comparable new machine
Real-World Repair Costs in Perth (2025)
| Repair Type | Typical Cost | Worth It? |
|---|---|---|
| Virus/malware removal | $99–$149 | Almost always yes |
| SSD upgrade (replaces HDD) | $150–$220 | Yes — huge performance boost |
| RAM upgrade | $80–$180 | Yes, if RAM is the bottleneck |
| Battery replacement | $120–$200 | Yes if laptop is <5 years old |
| Screen replacement | $180–$350 | Usually yes if laptop is <4 years |
| Keyboard replacement | $120–$220 | Yes for quality laptops |
| Charging port repair | $100–$180 | Yes |
| Motherboard replacement | $350–$600+ | Usually no — consider replacement |
The Age Factor: When to Cut Your Losses
Age is often the deciding factor. Here's a rough guide:
- 0–3 years old: Almost always worth repairing unless it's a major component failure
- 3–5 years old: Assess repair cost against replacement — upgrades like SSD/RAM are still good value
- 5–7 years old: Only worthwhile for cheap, simple repairs. Major fixes usually aren't justified
- 7+ years: Unless it was a premium machine and the repair is minor, replacement is usually the smarter investment
Our Free Assessment Service
At BITS Perth, we offer a free diagnosis — you only pay if you decide to proceed with the repair. We'll give you an honest assessment of your laptop's condition, a clear quote, and our professional recommendation. No pressure, no upselling.
We service customers across Clarkson, Butler, Joondalup, Mindarie, Wanneroo, Alkimos and all of northern Perth. Drop in for a free assessment, or submit your details online and we'll get back to you within the hour.
Not Sure? Get a Free Diagnosis
Bring your device in or tell us what's happening — we'll give you an honest assessment at no charge. Serving Clarkson, Butler, Joondalup and all northern Perth suburbs.