subject: Common Problems That Require Laptop Repair [print this page] Not long ago, laptops were viewed as significantly inferior to computers. But due to shrinking processors, hard drives and RAM, laptops are now the most common computing device. Unfortunately, their mobility often leads to problems that require laptop repair. Here are some of the most common issues.
By a large margin, the most common problem users face is a broken laptop screen. Screens are large and delicate, and dropping or inadvertently stepping on a laptop is likely to cause a crack. Unfortunately, even the smallest of cracks can render a screen unusable. Further, screens are a difficult part to replace; laptops are designed to minimize their weight and footprint, and screens are integrated so tightly that they cannot easily be popped off and replaced. Screen are the most expensive part of a laptop, and, if the cost is high enough, it might be better to transfer the hard drive to a new device. Fortunately, other problems are more easy to fix and generally cheaper.
Hard drive failure is the second most common problem for laptops. Hard drive capacity has increased tremendously over the years. But in their miniaturization, their interior platters have become more sensitive to damage. Technological advances have kept hard drive reliability in an acceptable range, but it is still a high enough risk that backups are strongly recommended.
The process of replacing a laptop hard drive is relatively simple for experienced professionals. Laptops are designed to allow easy access to the hard drive itself, and, unlike screens, hard drive prices are generally far cheaper than the price of a replacement laptop. The most time-consuming aspect is often transferring data to the new hard drive. Users should ensure that their important files are carefully and regularly saved on a backup device or online.
Keyboard problems are also common. The most common culprit is dirt or other foreign material collecting under the keys and disrupting the mechanisms that detect key presses and keep the keys elevated when they are not being pushed. Most keyboard issues can be handled by cleaning under or replacing a key. Rarely, however, an electrical or mechanical problem affects more than just one or two keys, and the cost of a new keyboard and the labor it requires can be expensive.
RAM on a laptop occasionally breaks. While not as common as hard drive failure, RAM failure renders a laptop temporarily unusable. Fortunately, no data is stored permanently in RAM, so it does not require backups. Laptops usually provide easy access to RAM, and the process of replacing it is simple for an expert. In fact, the most difficult part of the process is diagnosing the problem as a RAM failure. RAM is one of the cheapest components of a laptop, and due to its continuously dropping price, users may want to consider upgrading their RAM if their laptop can support it.
Processors, also called CPUs, are generally reliable. And modern CPUs can detect when they are overheating and turn themselves off before they become damaged. The accessibility of the CPU varies between different laptops, but experts repair technicians can usually access it without much difficulty. CPUs are more expensive than RAM, but it still may be worth upgrading if the laptop supports a faster processor.
The worst problem that can affect a laptop is a motherboard failure. The motherboard, which everything in a laptop ultimately connects to, is a large, difficult to remove and expensive component that is often more expensive to replace than simply purchasing a new laptop. Fortunately, it is a fairly uncommon event; motherboards are designed to be durable and reliable.
