It’s so easily done. Tripping over the power cable you left plugged in to the wall. Knocking over the lemonade that was next to the laptop while you were surfing the web. Slipping when walking past the laptop you left on the floor, and then hearing that crack as you shoe connects with that oh-so-fragile screen! The list goes on and on, and if you’ve got kids the question is not ‘will they’ drop it/step on it/spill on it, but simply ‘when’.

Ok, so first-up if/when it does happen, don’t just start panicking. You’re biggest worry will often be “Have I lost all my documents/pictures/files?”. And generally the answer is no. That is very rare. – PHEW! Ok, so breath a sigh of relief, and lets assess rational what is the best, most financially sensible way to do deal with it:

Assuming it can be repaired (likely), the 2 equations you have to work out, are:
“Will repairing the laptop cost more in money AND time, than it was worth before the accident?” and
“How much will it cost, to buy a replacement laptop that will do for me, what the old one did?”
There are some other factors (speed of old laptop vs. new, life expectancy of an average laptop etc.), but these really are the main ones.

Ok, so at time of writing, the most regular laptop repairs, with very approximate costs, are:

Note, that despite the size difference, Netbook repairs cost pretty much the same.

Your time, to deal with an average repair: 2 hour 30mins, including price comparison.

So the above gives you an idea of repair cost (money and time). Now what was the laptop worth before the accident? Bearing in mind, that they only last about 5 years on average. Less if they move around a lot (anyone travel for business?) or are used by kids. So if say the laptop is 4 years old, you almost have to assume it’s an economic write-off. But a pound symbol value? Well, something is only worth what someone will pay for it. Research on eBay shows that generally 2nd hand laptops sell for no more than £155, with absolute top-end machines (in their day) fetching only £200. Read that again, yes, if you bought a £1,000 laptop 2 years ago, it is now worth no more £200 – before any accidents!

Ok, so cost of replacement: The average price of a regular sized laptop today is around £390. That’s a good brand, good specification, and the popular 15 inch screen that almost everybody chooses these days. Take note, that if you get a slightly larger or smaller screen the price increases significantly. Hence the 15inch models are so popular.
Buying second-hand laptops is very risky. Unlike desktop computers, they have a shorter life expectancy, due to them being moved about more. You just never know how many times a 2nd hand laptop has been dropped. We really don’t recommend it. Especially now that new laptops are so very cheap.

Doing anything other buying a new laptop is a risk you must recognise. Repairs do not always last the rest of the laptops life. Power socket repairs in particular. Repairs generally only have a 1 month warranty, and at most 3 months – not very re-assuring. Equally 2nd hand laptops generally have no warranty, and even when they do, you can’t always trust the small-shop seller to not ‘disappear’ in the event of a problem.

At this point it’s worth talking about dedicated laptop insurance, why, because prevention is better than cure. Be prepared. At least one in seven people are not actually covered by either their home contents specialist insurance. Quite a shock hey! Up till now, everything we’ve spoken about has been bad, depressing, expensive. None of it good. Now granted, insurance doesn’t suit everyone. Some people are super careful around their laptop. Some laptops hardly ever ‘travel’ at all. But certainly if you have kids, or you constantly take your laptop to cyber-cafes, train stations, airports etc. etc., it is probably very worthwhile. Most laptops can be insured for Accidental Damage for £43.89 per year from someone like Gadget Cover. So do the maths, The thing has a 5 year life expectancy, so that’s (5 x £43.89 =) £219.45 to insure it for its expected life. On average they now cost £390 to buy new. What this means, is that if over a 5 year period you travel with the laptop or have kids around it, something happens to the laptop that would justify an insurance claim, then you are (£390 – £219.45 =) £170.55 better off, having taken insurance, rather than not.
How many kids do you know that can be careful for 5 years in a row? In this scenario, laptop insurance will probably save you money, not cost you money. And not by a few pence but by £170!

So, in conclusion, how people deal with a broken laptop depends on how expensive a repair it would need. On average people only repair them if they are less than 2 and a half years old, and need less than £230 of repairs. Otherwise it’s just not worth it. Also, if you travel with it, or have kids with it, dedicated laptop insurance can prove financially sensible.