It’s inevitable. At some point in the life cycle of your trusted traveling workstation, you will be forced to ask yourself the difficult question – should I replace my laptop? While the excitement of a new notebook can be a real thrill, there is also something to be said for your old “trusty rusty” – the keeper of your secrets, the laptop that survived that epic plunge into the cobblestone at your last coffee shop all-nighter; the mobile workstation that never let you down. So if the time has come to decide whether to fix or buy new, why not try to extend the life of your laptop by showing it some much needed love? There are tons of easy laptop repair guides available out there, and replacement parts are usually pretty easy to come by - locally, even. Here are five key reasons why it may be better to repair your laptop than replace it:

It’s Cheaper

This is an easy one. The vast majority of us is not made of money, and actually has to budget in major purchases like new computers. So why not look into some easy repairs. Several DIY repair guides and how-to videos exist online to help you do just this, at a fraction of the cost of replacing your laptop altogether. Whether your laptop needs minor surgery with just a few laptop repair parts or a major fix like motherboard replacement, there are resources available to help you get the job done. If you own a Dell in need of repair, Dell laptop experts Parts People offer amazing tutorials for DIY laptop repairs as well as super affordable Dell laptop repair parts.

It’s More Environmentally Friendly

Again, this is an easy one. The Earth has limited resources that will not support a linear manufacturing process forever. The best way to recycle is to literally reuse what you already have. Dell laptop repair is notoriously easy if you’re looking for a DIY project, or a technician at a laptop repair center can help you get back up and running in no time. If the repair requires something as simple as a replacement part, find a local affiliate who can get you the part and try following along with a how-to video to replace it yourself.

Everything you need is Already on your Current Laptop

You’ve likely spent years tailoring your laptop to meet your personal and specific needs. It’s full of all the software and programs you use on a daily basis, as well as your pictures, documents, saved web pages and games. You already know where everything is and how to get the most out of it. So if the unthinkable happens and you’re forced to decide whether to fix or buy new, consider an easy laptop repair to the machine you already love. Many easy fixes exist for things like LCD replacements, and how-to guides and videos can be surprisingly helpful – even for people who have never repaired their own laptop before. If the repair is more than you think you can handle on your own, consider a laptop repair specialist to assist you in bringing your laptop back to life.

Time is Money

A lot of times in life our decisions come down to a simple cost benefit analysis. Consider the amount of time it would take you to install or transfer years’ worth of work from your old laptop to a new one. Can you go that long without a fully-functioning laptop? If not, it might be in your best interest to repair your old laptop. You can often even find a laptop repair department locally that can perform the repairs same-day while you wait if you’re not comfortable with or simply don’t know how to repair the laptop yourself.

Newer Doesn’t Always Equal Better

You know the old adage – “the grass isn’t always greener on the other side”. While it may seem easier to simply buy new rather than repair your old laptop, it’s a decision you may end up less happy with than you think. Odds are, if you’ve been using your laptop long enough and often enough that it needs a few repairs, then you already know exactly what you’re getting out of it. The same can’t always be said for a new notebook. So if you have a laptop in need of an easy repair, an LCD replacement or a few small replacement parts, get your DIY on and follow along with one of the many available how-to videos online to see if you can restore your beloved notebook to its former glory.