Laptop Died... Fix? or Replace?

[Iplayfarmer]

My laptop died. I have a few options to get me back to self sufficient for browsing TBN. As always, I'm interested in input from TBN Members.

A little info... I used my laptop primarily for internet: TBN, Craigs List, and Netflix. I will occasionally use it for work. This involves e-mail, spreadsheets, word documents, and some Power Point presentations.

My first option is to repair it. I've exhausted all options from Dell, but this guy says he can fix it for $91.99. Money back guarantee.

My second option is to replace it with another laptop. This was a cheap laptop, and I'll probably replace it with another cheap laptop. The only computing advantage to me would be that a new laptop would come with Windows 7. The cost here will be about $500.

MyThird option is to get an iPad. I've never been fond of Mac, but I havent' used any kind of Mac for years. The cost here would be about $500.

There are likely other options too that I haven't considered. Any input is welcome.

 

[MikeInEburg]

If it does everything you need, spend $92 and not $500. There's no learning curve.

 

[/pine]

...My laptop died....

what part of it stopped working?

 

[aczlan]

what part of it stopped working?

From the ebay ad, I would guess that it is an overheating issue caused by not enough pressure holding the heatsink to the CPU and cheap thermal paste..

Aaron Z

 

[thatguy]

i would rethink the iPad option.. From what I understand - it does not have any external outputs (usb etc).. so the only way to install stuff is to download it.. and the printer would need to be wireless (blue tooth??).

also the software is phone not computer software - so it may not have all the functions .

I may be wrong - but this is what I understood when i read up on it.. My wife wanted one.. (we are a mac family)

for <$100 i would fix it unless you really want a new one

brian

 

[bonefish101]

If you can give a little more info on your issues we may be able to talk you through a resolution. If you are looking for cheap new then check out circuitcity.com
I know, everyone thinks they are out of business, just check the website, they have killer prices and some amazing sales pretty regularly.

 

[robs660]

iPad is great for surfing web. Tbn. Netflix and things like that. It will not replace a computer and you can print from it as long as your printer supports mobile devices vi am on mine now. Love it MOST of the time. If you have another home computer that you can do the ms office stuff on then go with the iPad or wait till april when the new one comes out
I am an all mac household and love the iPad more then I thought I would. My 19 month old daughter knows how to use it and get to her apps without help so the learning curve is pretty short

 

[jeffinsgf]

I've been a Mac guy since 1985, yet I would not choose an iPad as my only computer under any circumstances. If you're a touch typist, I would most certainly give that touchpad keyboard a THOROUGH trial before handing over the plastic. Yes, you can get an external keyboard, but now you're deeper $$ into the thing, and you have a kluge. If you're a "hunt-n-peck" typist it may not be as big a deal, but I'd still want to give it a good run-through.

It's cute, but it's not a computer.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Thanks for the input so far. Some good things to think about.

The laptop won't even boot. I get a blank screen and the blinking LED's tell me it's either a motherboard or a processor (scroll lock and caps lock solid, num lock blinking continuously). I've re-seated the ram, switched the two sticks of ram, reseated the processor, run a scan disk on the hard drive, and checked if an external display will show anything. I believe that I have some kind of bad hardware other than the ram, and anything else will cost more than the $92 repairman.

I have a desktop (which I'm using right now), and my wife has a laptop. Her laptop will likely become her business computer if I can ever finish building her a salon. The smart voice on my shoulder tells me to send the broken laptop in for a repair. The impulsive voice on the other side wants a new toy. As I think more about it, I don't see much of an advantage to buying a new laptop over repairing this one. I think the decision has come down to the repair or the iPad.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

you won't be doing the spreadsheets, wordprocessing and power point on an Ipad.