Chromebooks are a popular alternative to a full laptop because they’re very low cost. You can get them for under $200, and if you mainly use web-based apps, they’ll work well for a variety of computer needs.
These devices are popular to use in schools as student-issued devices, but they’re also increasingly being used for business deployment due to the lower price point. Because of the movement from hard drive-run software to cloud-based tools, Chromebooks have become a viable alternative to a traditional laptop.
In Q3 of 2020, Chromebook sales grew by 90% as compared to the same period the prior year.
But any time you spend so little for a computer, the “you get what you pay for” adage comes into play.
If something goes wrong on a Chromebook that you paid $200-$300 to buy, should you fix it? What about a higher quality version that cost over $500?
Some of the common things that can go wrong with a Chromebook include:
- Cracked screen
- Key popped off
- Liquid spill on keyboard
- Battery not charging
- CPU cooling fans problem
- Virus/malware
- CPU issues
There are often a few different factors that go into the decision to seek out New Jersey computer repair for a broken Chromebook or just retire it and buy a new one. It’s not worth it to everyone to pay parts and labor on a repair for a device that may end up having another issue in a few months, but if you have a higher end Chromebook, then it may make more sense.
Repair or Not to Repair? Things to Consider
Cost of the Repair
One of the main considerations when deciding whether or not to have a Chromebook repaired is the cost of the repair. Is it going to cost the same or more than the price of a new Chromebook?
Not all repairs are the same. Some may come in around $100, while others may be three times that amount. It all depends on what’s wrong and whether or not you need a repair done immediately or can wait a few days.
The first thing to do if you’re having a Chromebook problem is to get a repair estimate so you can make an informed decision.
Age of the Device
Studies show that business computers 4-years old or older are prone to more problems than younger computers. Businesses that keep older PCs in operation too long end up paying more annually due to productivity and repair costs than the price of two newer models.
You may be able to get another year or two of productive use from a consumer Chromebook that’s not in continuous operation like a business PC is, but only if it’s a higher priced version.
Consider how many years of usable and productive life your Chromebook has when deciding whether to repair it. If it’s already 4 years old, then you may just want to replace it.
Hassle of Moving to a New Device
How much of a disruption is moving all your settings and the files you have saved to a new device? While Chromebooks have a lot less hard drive space than traditional computers and laptops, it may still be a hassle to migrate all your “stuff” to a new one.
Consider this only if you’re on the fence about upgrading and a repair isn’t going to cost you more than the price of a new device.
Price You Paid for Your Device
The price you paid for your Chromebook is one of the most important factors when deciding whether or not to have a repair done or upgrade to a new device.
We’ve found that you usually get about 1 year of productive life from a computer for each $200 that you spend.
So, if you have a cheap Chromebook that is 2 years old, then a repair may not be worth it. But if you’ve got one of the higher end versions that still has a few years of life left, then a repair may be the most cost-efficient option.
Here’s how to decide based upon how much you paid for your Chromebook:
- Spent Less Than $200: Don’t have it repaired. It’s going to make more sense for you to just purchase a new device.
- Spent Between $200-$400: Don’t spend more than $100 for repairs. More than that, and it’s most likely not going to be worth it for you.
- Spent $500+: It’s okay to have it repaired. This is closer to the price of a typical computer, so it makes sense financially to have it fixed.
Need Fast, Expert Chromebook, Windows, or Mac Repair?
The experts at Two River Computer handle repairs fast and efficiently. We provide quality repairs for just about any device issue you may have.
Contact us today to learn more. Call 732-747-0020 or reach us online.
