Laptop worth repairing?

[Ketsuri]

MY wife has a laptop that has been broken for a while, but she now needs one for her new job. It is a Gateway that was bought in 2007 for $800, but I don't know the exact specs. The computer won't turn on with or without the power cord being plugged in. I tried another cord, and it still doesn't charge or turn on. I assume the issue is the power supply. I don't know enough about laptops to know how difficult it is to change the power supply or if it is even possible. Looking at shops it looks like they charge $75-100 per hour.

Is it better to just buy a new laptop for her to use for $250-300? If so, anyone have any suggestions for a very basic computer. Doesn't need to be for gaming, photoshop, or any video editing. She is only going to use it for internet and basic documents, so a net book is fine.

[The Stig]

I vote new laptop.

You'll have so much headache with trying to fix that and it's probably not very fast coupled with the fact other parts may be dead, better to go with new one.

[xopher]

I have a decent Dell Laptop that I'm looking to sell for about $300 if you're interested. Core 2 Duo, 3GB memory, 160gb hard drive (can put a larger one in it) and a ridiculous 1900x1200 display.

[Anakron]

I'd go with a new laptop as well. Even if it's cheap to fix whatever component is broken now, other parts are probably not far behind in terms of breaking down.

Though before you buy a netbook, you should go to a retail store and play around with one first. Even for very basic tasks, I found netbook processors to be very very slow, so, budget permitting, you may want to go up to $400-500 for a proper laptop.

[Omniyoji]

You could get a quote on the fix if you're looking to really fix the old one (although I don't know anyone does those for free). I'd suggest just getting a used newer model to save on dough and transfer any needed files on the old laptop.

[Binkie]

http://www.officedepot.com/a/product...ptop-Computer/

This one isn't bad, but a bit above your price range.

[Tajin]

You can fix it, but you'll get more out of a new laptop. (obviously derp)

[Coren]

Even though it's 5 yrs old and a gateway, if your only problem is the power supply, it's probably worth fixing versus buying a netbook. A generic power supply from rayovac (with 2yr warranty) is only about $60 from a place like Batteries Plus (http://www.batteriesplus.com/t-storeloc.aspx). A netbook is going to run you 250ish and it will be a piece of shit no matter what you get.

I'm assuming that when you say you "tried another cord" you mean the cable that plugs into the AC adapter and the wall, not the adapter itself.

[Ketsuri]

Yeah I tied another power cord meaning the entire cord that goes from the wall outlet to the computer. The computer is not in the best shape. I have no idea if the only problem is the power supply since I can't turn it on at all. Now that I think about it, are power supplies for laptops built in the laptop or a part of the cord? Now that other people have mentioned it, I am worried about fixing whatever is broken and having something else fail.

It doesn't have to be a netbook. I can pay a little bit more to not get something awful. I was looking at this laptop:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+15....&skuId=4792337

[The Stig]

What you linked there is basically a netbook, spec for spec, except the size and ram and all the extra goodies you'd get that's not a netbook (usb ports/dvd drive)

However, it's not necessarily bad for basic activities. That Radeon can power HD movies too I believe from the reviews I've read.

EDIT: just saw the price, wow that's good. That would be £188 if converted ... the price of a single CPU shitty 1gb RAM 10 inch plastic toy netbook
A laptop of that spec/size would cost £299 here (I said in the other laptop thread that prices between UK/US seem to be a 1:1 ration, but things are heavily taxed here so ...)

[Coren]

Yeah I tied another power cord meaning the entire cord that goes from the wall outlet to the computer.

The brick-like thing between the wall and the PC is the actual power supply on a laptop (ac adapter, charger, whatever you want to call it). If you tried a completely different adapter and still get nothing, the unit is probably hosed.

That laptop you link to is probably good for what you say she needs.

[Ketsuri]

I hate to be this guy, but what are you opinions on the laptop below:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Toshiba+...=1218529551600
(this one is about the same as the other, but i need to drive about 1 hour roundtrip to pick it up)

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+15....=1218533330421

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Toshiba+...=1218529551701

Worth the extra $50 and saving me a trip over the Causeway bridge? lol

[Anakron]

Any reasons you're looking at Best Buy? The reviews for those aren't that good. Amazon generally gives better prices and tax-free outside of NY (I think?).

There are Asus and Lenovo ones here for $350-$380:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=...rnid=303116011

[Senji]

Amazon tax: Kansas, Kentucky, New York, North Dakota, or Washington are subject to tax.

Newegg: California, New Jersey, and Tennessee.

Tigerdirect: Florida, Idaho, Texas, North Carolina, South Dakota, Georgia and Illinois.

[Ketsuri]

No I just checked a few places, and Best Buy had decent prices. I am in Louisiana, so it looks like I don't pay tax for any of those websites. I havn't heard anything about Asus or Lenovo, but I also havn't bough a computer in a long time. I heard Acer is decent now as well. Is there any reason to go with "name brands" like Toshiba, HP and Dell?

[Minions]

Amazon tax: Kansas, Kentucky, New York, North Dakota, or Washington are subject to tax.

Newegg: California, New Jersey, and Tennessee.

Tigerdirect: Florida, Idaho, Texas, North Carolina, South Dakota, Georgia and Illinois.

If you go the Tiger Direct route and are in one of those states, Compusa generally does not charge tax for those states (at least in my case) and often has the exact same deals/promotions (since they are owned by the same company as tiger direct)

[Anakron]

No I just checked a few places, and Best Buy had decent prices. I am in Louisiana, so it looks like I don't pay tax for any of those websites. I havn't heard anything about Asus or Lenovo, but I also havn't bough a computer in a long time. I heard Acer is decent now as well. Is there any reason to go with "name brands" like Toshiba, HP and Dell?

I think HP and Compaq are on the low-end quality wise, but the rest should be pretty decent.

Here's a good deal if you can go up to $400ish:
http://www.officedepot.com/a/product...ptop-Computer/

[Ketsuri]

Thanks i actually bought that computer. I got it yesterday when it was on sale for $379.