Repair wins when one well-understood part has failed and the rest of the machine still does the job: a battery, keyboard, screen, RAM, storage drive or power supply. Replacement wins when the quote approaches the price of an equivalent new machine, when several parts are failing together, or when the computer can no longer run the software you rely on.
"Repair or replace?" usually comes up at a bad moment, with a dead screen and a deadline. A little structure helps. This guide sorts faults into three groups, gives you four questions to run against any quote, and shows how the answer shifts for desktops, all-in-one PCs and MacBooks.
Which faults are almost always worth repairing?
Wear parts and single-component failures are where repair beats replacement by a wide margin. These parts are made to be swapped, the rest of the computer is unaffected, and the repaired machine behaves like the one you already know. The indicative ranges below come from our price list, and the final quote depends on your model and the part.
| Fault | Indicative range | Why repair usually makes sense |
|---|---|---|
| Worn laptop battery | ₹1,499 - ₹4,999 (MacBook: ₹3,499 - ₹6,999) | Cells wear out by design; nothing else is affected |
| Faulty laptop keyboard | ₹999 - ₹3,499 | A modular part with a predictable cost |
| Cracked laptop screen | ₹1,999 - ₹6,999 | Panels are standard replacements for most models |
| Not enough memory (8GB upgrade) | ₹1,499 - ₹2,499 | Cheap and noticeable on a machine that has a free slot |
| Slow or failing drive (512GB SSD) | ₹4,999 – ₹7,499 | Often the biggest speed gain per rupee |
| Dead desktop power supply (450W) | ₹1,500 - ₹2,500 | A standard part on most towers |
Software problems belong in this group too. Windows reinstalls, driver faults and malware cleanups cost a fraction of any hardware repair and rarely justify replacing anything.
Which repairs are genuine judgement calls?
Motherboard faults, liquid damage and premium displays are where the price range is wide and the answer depends on the exact failure. Our list shows laptop motherboard repair from ₹2,999 to ₹8,999, MacBook logic board repair from ₹4,999 to ₹18,999, and Retina or ProMotion display replacement from ₹8,999 to ₹28,999, all indicative.
What decides where you land in that range? Which component actually failed, whether liquid corrosion has spread, whether parts are available, and whether this is the first fault. A charging-circuit fault on an otherwise healthy board is a different proposition from a board with widespread corrosion. Ask for a written diagnosis that names the failed part, then read our guide on motherboard repair versus replacement before deciding.
Which problems usually point towards replacement?
Replacement tends to make sense when the problem is the machine as a whole rather than one part. None of these is an absolute rule, but each should make you pause before paying for a repair.
- Several faults at once. A fading battery, a cracked hinge, a flaky keyboard and a slow drive can each be fixed, but together they cost more than they are worth.
- The same fault coming back. A second motherboard failure on the same unit suggests a deeper cause.
- An outdated platform. If the processor can't run a supported operating system you need, repairs won't change that. See our guide to Windows 11 compatibility on older laptops.
- Frame or chassis damage. A bent body that keeps breaking screens and hinges is a structural problem.
- A premium part in a low-value machine. A costly panel in a basic laptop rarely adds up.
What four questions should you ask about any quote?
Run the same four checks on every repair quote, from us or anyone else. They take about ten minutes and prevent most regrets.
- What would an equivalent new machine cost today? Compare the quote with a current price for a computer of similar specification, not the price you originally paid. A common rule of thumb is to think hard when a repair reaches around half of that figure. It's a guide, not a law, and a machine you rely on may justify more.
- Will it still receive security updates? Check the processor generation and operating system support before paying for anything cosmetic.
- Is this the first failure or the third? A machine with a pattern of faults is telling you something.
- Will the repair fix what annoys you? A new screen won't cure slowness. If the complaint is speed, the fix is storage or memory.
Here's an illustrative case. Say a five-year-old laptop has a weak battery and a slow hard drive. A new battery (₹1,499 to ₹4,999) plus a 512GB SSD (₹4,999 – ₹7,499) comes to ₹3,998 to ₹8,998 on our price list. Compare that with a fresh quote for a new laptop of similar specification. For many people the repair fixes both complaints for a fraction of the cost.
How does the answer change for desktops, all-in-ones and MacBooks?
Device type shifts the maths more than people expect, because it decides how much of the machine can be replaced piece by piece.
Desktop towers
Towers are modular, so repair or upgrade almost always wins. The power supply, memory, drive and graphics card can each be replaced alone. Replacement only makes sense when the motherboard, processor and memory are all too old to upgrade without replacing the lot.
All-in-one PCs
The display is the expensive part. On our list a 27-inch 4K or 5K panel runs from ₹8,000 to ₹18,000, while memory and storage upgrades cost far less. Weigh the panel quote against a new all-in-one, and remember the rest of the machine may be perfectly healthy.
MacBooks
Recent MacBooks have memory and storage built into the board, so a slow, full Mac can't be rescued with a cheap upgrade. Apple also ends macOS support for older models over time. On the other hand, MacBooks hold their value well and repair costs are predictable. Our MacBook repair cost guide lists the common ranges.
What should a fair repair quote include?
- The failed part named clearly, not just "motherboard problem".
- Parts and labour shown together, with a warranty period.
- A note on how your data is handled during the repair.
- Whether the inspection fee is refunded if you proceed.
At Xigox the inspection fee is ₹350, refunded if you go ahead with the repair, and you get a written quote before any work begins. Repairs carry a 90-day warranty. If you decide to replace instead, you can sell your old laptop or look at tested refurbished machines.
Frequently asked questions
Should I repair a laptop that is still under warranty?
Use the manufacturer's warranty first for any covered fault, because it costs nothing. Read the terms before anyone opens the machine, since coverage for accidents, liquid and third-party repair varies. Our note on repairs and laptop warranties in India explains the common conditions.
Is it worth repairing a five-year-old laptop?
Often yes, provided the processor is recent enough to run a supported Windows version and the fault is a single part. Battery, SSD and memory upgrades routinely add years. For age-specific advice, see how to decide on an old laptop.
Will I lose my files during a repair?
Screen, keyboard and battery repairs don't touch your drive, but you should back up first anyway. Storage and motherboard faults carry more risk. A simple backup routine is quick to set up.
Can I sell a laptop that no longer works?
Often, yes. Buyers and refurbishers value working parts, and the offer depends on model and condition. Send the model and a description of the fault for an assessment.
If you're stuck between the two, we can inspect the machine, name the failed part and give a written quote, so you can compare it with the price of a new one. Book a free pickup or check indicative rates on the pricing page.
