When to repair vs replace hardware
One more repair on the same laptop seems like the cheaper option — until you actually run the numbers. Here's a simple way to make that call with math instead of gut feeling.
A simple rule: 50% and 3 years
A rule of thumb widely used in IT service shops: if the repair cost exceeds 50% of the price of comparable new hardware, or the device is more than 3–4 years old, repairing it usually stops making financial sense. It's not a rigid formula, but it's a solid starting point for the decision.
Weigh the repair cost against the hardware's current value, not the purchase price
What matters is the current market value of a similar used device, not what you paid for it three years ago. A three-year-old business laptop worth 1,500 PLN today isn't worth repairing for 1,200 PLN, even if it originally cost 6,000 PLN.
Add in the cost of employee downtime, not just the repair invoice
A day or two without a working computer is a real cost — lost employee productivity, sometimes the need to lend out a spare device. A cheap repair that takes a week can end up costing more than a pricier replacement available right away.
Check whether this is the second repair on the same device within a year
A single failure (say, a battery replacement) is normal wear and tear. But if a device is back in the shop for the second time within a few months, that's a warning sign other components may start failing too — and each repair only delays the replacement decision, it doesn't replace it.
Check whether the hardware still meets today's requirements
A physically working laptop that chokes on basic tasks (a few browser tabs, a video call) because of too little RAM or a slow drive generates a cost in lost time every single day — even if it technically "still works."
When repairing still makes sense
- The device is under 2 years old and this is its first failure
- The repair cost is clearly under half the value of a similar used model
- The specs still comfortably handle daily tasks
- The repair is available right away, without a multi-day wait
Why it's worth having this rule written down in advance
A decision made in a hurry, right when a computer breaks and an employee is waiting, usually falls in favor of the "quick" repair — even if replacement would be cheaper in the long run. A rule set in advance makes it easier to make a rational call, instead of reacting under time pressure.
Not sure whether a device is worth repairing?
We'll assess the hardware's condition and work out whether repair or replacement is the cheaper call in your situation.