Squeezing life out of old laptops

Does your current device do the following?

• Is slow at starting up

• Struggle to load in your files

• Having to wait at the home screen to make sure everything is loaded in correctly

• Currently sounding like an air plane on start-up or all the time

Then its time to think about bringing new life into your old machine. These issues should not be the reason for you to go out and spend ‘sooo’ much money on a new laptop. You could be potentially forking out around £300 to £1,000 or even higher for a new laptop, which could seriously harm your wallet. 

There are many cost effective ways in which you can save money and squeeze more life out of your current laptop. This is done by replacing all the parts that are failing and giving your laptop a good ‘old’ service. The most common component to go or to slow down is your hard drive (storage). Hard drives are little tiny disks that spins round in a metal case. Over a long period of time, the disk degrades which is why its slow.

A recommendation for this is to install a solid state drive (SSD). These types of drives have no moving parts and pretty much fast (depends on type and read/ write speeds - more information about this coming soon). By replacing the parts that are failing would help reduce the amount of money being spent, as you are only paying for the parts that are needed. Thus, taking this step, this would most likely help reduce the amount of e-waste or electronic waste going into our landfills and giving you more beloved time with your current laptop.

Another cost effective/ free way to improve your experience with your laptop, is to go through the laptops installed program lists to look for applications that you really do not use or applications that comes with the laptop and have no idea what it is or why its installed. Nine out of ten times, programs that you installed may ask you to download another application (sometimes already ticked in the menu screen when installing). So, by going through the laptops program list and uninstalling applications that you don’t use or wanted in the first place would help free up space in the laptops storage and the resources that the laptop would use, thereby, allowing the laptop for perform better.

Sometimes, when you don’t see the other options working, the only and final way (in our opinion) a factory reset would be a final/ last resort. (Guide of how to reset laptops and desktops - in project pipeline). Resetting the laptop is generally a good way to get rid of all the old software and data that you have, allowing you to start fresh. The only issues that you might face is the following:

• Passwords to all your accounts

• Windows ‘freaking’ Updates (A LOT OF THEM)

• Waiting for you data to be transferred back

• More windows updates

• Installing application you need

So resetting your laptop should be only be done if as a last resort or if you are planning on selling it.

Justification:

Before you take apart your laptop or take it to the nearest repair store, there is a few things you might want to consider:

• Does the cost of the replacement parts is lower than the cost of a new laptop?

If the cost is lower, then yes then get the replace/repair sorted. If the cost is higher than a new laptop, you might want to consider trading-in your old laptop for a new one.

• What would to happen if you break something important while you attempted the self-repair method?

Breaking an important component while in the middle or at the start of the self-repair is well and truly heartbreaking. If you break an import component which cannot be replaced, well, there is really nothing you can do but to look for another laptop.

• Laptop to old? (six years or older)

Laptops that are six years and older tend to not function as the way they used to. This is because the hardware (individual components inside the laptop) and the software (programmes that are talking to the hardware) like drivers, are not talking to each other correctly. This is due to the manufactures of the hardware not releasing updates or fixes which in turns, leaves you the end user with a semi working laptop, with no choice but to get a new laptop.

• Water damage

Water damage can cause rust or corrosion on the main logic board (motherboard, PCB) and would reacquire a board level repair which could be costly. Buying a new device would be a better option if you can’t afford to do the board level repair.

• Manufactures charges to much which out ways the cost of the original purchase price

If manufactures charges you extra or higher then the original purchase price of your laptop, then it really not worth going with them. The alternative for this is to find a local repair shop that would do the repair/ replacement service.This option could be cheaper and if you want to be even more cheaper, you could do the repair yourself or you could ask a techie friend for help or do it for you.

Methods:

1. Self-Repair or Self-Fix*:

This option is the cheapest way to fix your laptop. If you have the right kit and the knowledge to take apart your laptop. If you do not have the knowledge, then it is worth checking out (ifixit), this is a online database of guides that houses disassembly and part information for almost all devices. Additionally, there are other sites that do the same.

(A guide on how to service, find replacement parts and fix them will be available soon)

2. Manufacturer/ Vendor Service and Repair:

a.       Depending on your warranty information, you could get the manufacturer to service and repair your laptop for free, please do check with them and see if you qualify/offer for this service. Some manufacturers like to charge you so again consider justification section.

b.       Sometimes, some shops or vendors do servicing or replacement parts. You will need to check if you qualify for this service and to check with the shop to see if they offer this type of service. Again, please consult the justification section to see if it is worth it.

3. Third-Party:

There are many third-party shops that offer to fix and service your laptop. If you do not want the hassle of doing it yourself, third party shops would help. My advice is to ask around, get quotes (three or more), look at reviews and at recent work. This would help you find a good place to do the repair and servicing.  Again, please consider the justification section.

(*Disclaimer*: I or this page should not be held responsible for the damages occurred while you are taking part your laptop or any form of damages that may occur while repairing).