Is It Worth Fixing My Aging Computer?

If your trusty home PC has started showing its age, with more issues cropping up lately, you may be wondering if it’s finally time to say goodbye to your old friend. Or could some TLC in the form of repairs get it back in the game?

We are often asked to help clients make this decision. Several important factors must be considered when determining the best path forward.

How Old Is It Really?

While it may seem like you just bought it yesterday, some computers have relatively short lifespans in technological terms. If your machine is more than 10 years old, it's likely well past its prime. Parts can become difficult to source, and repair costs may exceed the original value.

What Issues Are Cropping Up?

Minor glitches that cause annoyance but don't hamper use, such as a stubborn virus or faulty keyboard, can often be fixed for $50–$150. On the other hand, multiple hardware failures, a dying motherboard, or other major component replacements indicate deeper underlying issues. For problems of that magnitude, repairs may run to 50%–75% of a new comparable model.

Will Parts Be Readily Available?

Specific key components may go out of production after a few years, especially with aging laptops. If it's determined that your motherboard, screen, or other vital piece needs swapping out, there's a good chance we won't be able to get a replacement. This significantly increases repair costs and turnaround time, due to custom orders or used-part sourcing.

How's the Performance Over Time?

Modern computing demands continue to grow exponentially with each passing year. If your PC has been steadily slowing down over the last 6–12 months and is struggling to run even basic tasks, it may be time for an upgrade.

What's Your Budget Situation?

For clients on a tight budget, we're always willing to thoroughly diagnose issues and provide affordable repair options to squeeze out a little more usability from an older machine. However, if an attractive new model is realistically within your means, an upgrade may give you several more years of smooth sailing.

Let's Diagnose Your Situation

Rather than taking guesses, we always recommend bringing your computer for a thorough diagnosis. We can carefully assess its overall condition, identify any underlying problems, provide repair estimates, and help you weigh up the costs and benefits of fixing versus upgrading based on your unique needs and budget.

The Real Price of Cheap Printers Revealed

We've all been there - rushing to print an important document only to discover your inkjet printer is on the fritz yet again. Whether it's refusing to print because the cartridges aren't full enough or leaving streaks and lines across your documents, inkjet printers are notorious for acting up precisely when you need them most. Beyond the frustration, these constant issues could be costing you more than you realize.

The Hidden and Ongoing Costs of Inkjet Printing

On the surface, inkjet printers may seem like the more affordable printer option. However, printer manufacturers make their real profits through expensive replacement ink cartridges rather than the printers themselves. The cost of a set of new cartridges is often much higher than the actual printer.

What's more, ink dries out quickly, which means cartridges need frequent replacement, even if you aren't a heavy printer. All those replacement cartridges add up over time. Research shows the total lifetime cost of owning an inkjet can be double or even triple the initial purchase price once you factor in ink.

Constant Clogging and Drying Issues

One of the biggest frustrations of inkjet printing is the tendency for those tiny nozzles to clog if the printer sits idle too long. This is because inkjets deposit liquid ink onto the page through micro nozzles. If not used regularly, the ink inside can dry up and cause blockages.

Even printing just a few pages weekly may not be enough use to keep ink flowing freely. The result is streaks, lines, light prints or failures to print at all - right when you need it most. How much time have you wasted troubleshooting a clogged inkjet instead of working on important projects?

Laser Printers - A Low Maintenance Alternative

Laser printers work differently by using dry toner powder and an electrostatic printing process rather than liquid ink. This eliminates the clogging issues that plague inkjets.

Additionally, lasers are designed to sit idle for extended periods without issue. You can print confidently when that looming deadline arrives, knowing your laser printer will perform flawlessly—no more delays or frustrations caused by an unreliable inkjet.

What About Color Printing?

While inkjet printers provide the benefit of color printing, the need for color for most typical home use is quite low. Most common printing tasks like documents, homework assignments, bills, and other everyday papers rarely require color.

For the occasional photo or graphic needing color, it's often more affordable to outsource those prints to a retail store rather than pay for expensive color inkjet cartridges.

Invest in Hassle-Free Printing

If your inkjet has become more trouble than it's worth, it may be time to make the switch to a laser printer.

Contact us today at 940-282-0290 to help you choose a printer designed for reliability rather than constant repairs and cartridge replacements. Say goodbye to dried-out nozzles and streaky prints with a laser that is always ready when you need it most. The total cost of ownership will be much less over the long run.