Laptop Repair Cost: What You Really Pay and When to Fix It

When your laptop, a portable computer used for work, school, or everyday tasks. Also known as a notebook, it's one of the most relied-on devices in modern homes. stops working, the first question isn’t just ‘what’s wrong?’—it’s ‘how much will it cost to fix?’ A broken screen, a dying battery, or a glitchy motherboard can feel like a disaster, but the repair cost isn’t always what you think. Many people assume fixing a laptop is expensive, but often, the real issue isn’t the part—it’s knowing whether repair even makes sense.

laptop screen replacement, a common repair for cracked or flickering displays usually runs between £80 and £200, depending on the model. If you’ve got a budget Dell or HP, you’re looking at the lower end. A MacBook or high-end gaming laptop? That price climbs fast. Then there’s laptop battery replacement, a simple fix that brings old laptops back to life. Most cost under £50 and take less than an hour. But here’s the catch: if your laptop is over five years old, replacing the battery might just delay the inevitable. The laptop motherboard, the main circuit board that connects all components is where things get serious. Repairing a damaged motherboard can cost £200–£400—and that’s before labor. Often, that’s more than half the price of a new entry-level laptop.

So when should you walk away? If your repair bill hits 60% of what a new laptop costs, it’s time to think about replacement. That rule holds whether you’re fixing a screen, a keyboard, or a charging port. And don’t forget: older laptops often run slower software, lack modern security updates, and drain battery life even with new parts. Sometimes, the cheapest fix isn’t the repair—it’s upgrading.

You’ll find real-world repair stories below—from people who saved £300 by fixing their screen themselves to others who learned the hard way that a £150 motherboard repair didn’t fix their real problem. We’ve got cost breakdowns for common issues, tips on spotting scams, and honest advice on when to say ‘enough’ and buy new. No fluff. Just what you need to decide without getting ripped off.