Laptop...get fixed or buy new?

All--
I have a five-year-old IBM Thinkpad T23 laptop to which I am very much attached. It is *still* a great machine, but recently, I have noticed some weirdness on the display. There are two horizontal transparent lines that run across the screen from left to right, about a single pixel in thickness. One is near the top of the screen and one is near the bottom. I have been pretty careful with it over the years, as it cost me about $4300 when new--it has not gotten bounced around or been abused in any way, and ThinkPads are exceptionally durable to begin with. I really don't want to buy a new laptop, because (1) I think it would be wasteful if the only malfunctioning part is the screen, and (2) I don't want to have to run Windows Vista. Anyone out there know where I can get my Thinkpad repaired for a reasonable price, or, should I just acknowledge that five+ years is the useful lifespan of a laptop?

TIA,

Kal-El in Fresh Meadows

Re: Laptop...get fixed or buy new?

I would say after 5 years (assuming you have no warranty & can't fix it yourself), it's time to upgrade. You can always use the laptop as an extra disk drive as long as it's not failing.

Re: Laptop...get fixed or buy new?

geeksqaud will charge you a pretty penny to fix as laptop have harder parts to install. after 5 years, it is time to upgrade and depending on how you buy a dell, you still get them shipped with win xp. FM if you need help looking for a decent laptop as the going price these days is about 600-700 which would handle anyones daily use of a computer (depending on what you do)

To repair screens, parts could cost 100-200 and then factor labor. If its the graphics adapter, which is mounted to the motherboard, that is the heart of the computer which i'm sure cost the same as replaceing the screen.

Its time to move on

Re: Laptop...get fixed or buy new?

If it's just those two lines, I would say just try to ignore it. Most high-end tube monitors have something very similar, from the factory. I used to know why they were there, but I've forgotten by now.

Consider the lines an "upgrade", and you'll be good for another year or two....

Re: Laptop...get fixed or buy new?

Re: Laptop...get fixed or buy new?

Re: Laptop...get fixed or buy new?

...hmmmm...GeekSquad...dunno. I think I would rather take my chances with the computer repair people at MicroCenter in Westbury. But thanks to everyone for replying...I've made up my mind to try to get my laptop fixed, as I feel that there is still plenty of life in the ol' girl.

Re: Laptop...get fixed or buy new?

I would go for a new one!

Re: Laptop...get fixed or buy new?

At five years old I would definitely buy a new one. I think 5 years is about as long as I expect any computer to last (Don't tell that to the 7 year old computer I'm typing on)

For a broken display, or any major damage they said if it's more than 3 years old, get a new one.

I have a 2 year old iBook with a busted screen.

Apple quoted me $750 to repair it

iResQ quoted around $380. The part itself is about $240.

If $750 were my only option I would buy a whole new laptop, but for $380 I am going to fix the screen.

You have to think about how much your laptop is worth. I don't really think my iBook is worth $800, but I know it's worth more than $400

Message edited 5/17/2007 10:22:34 AM.