Your 4 to 7 year old laptop is aging. Whether to repair depends on the specific issue and cost.
Last updated:
Device Age
4 to 7 years
Typical Lifespan
3-8 years
Replacement Cost
~$1,700
Max Repair Budget
$680
40% of replacement
At this age, you're 100% through the expected lifespan. The remaining value is low - only cheap, quick fixes make financial sense. Consider whether the repair buys meaningful additional time.
A 4 to 7 year old laptop is part of the 2019--2022 Models generation. Understanding what technology was standard helps you evaluate whether repair still makes sense.
Typical repairs for a 4 to 7 year old laptop, based on service data and manufacturer patterns.
Keyboard(typical failure: 3-6 years)
Key switches wear out or butterfly mechanism failures (2016--2019 MacBooks)
SSD(typical failure: 5-8 years)
SSD endurance limits approached on heavy-use machines, slower write speeds
Display hinge(typical failure: 4-7 years)
Hinge loosens or stiffens from repeated open/close cycles, cable strain
Parts availability is declining for 6 year old models. Common components are still findable, but model-specific parts may be limited.
It depends on the repair cost. Only proceed if the repair is under $600 CAD (40% of a ~$1500 CAD replacement). Check the repair cost table above for specific issues.
The most common issues are battery not holding charge or swelling, screen damage, dead pixels, or backlight issues, keyboard keys not working or sticky. At this age you may see multiple issues at once, which can tip the balance toward replacement.
Common laptop repairs range from $50 to $500 CAD depending on the issue. Screen and charging port repairs tend to be more expensive, while battery swaps are often the cheapest fix. See the repair cost table above for a breakdown by issue.
At 6 years old, DIY-friendly repairs include ssd upgrade, ram upgrade, battery replacement. These save 40-60% on labour costs and typically require basic tools. For a 6 year old laptop, DIY repairs are a great way to extend its life without a large investment.
Our free calculator considers your specific laptop's age, condition, and repair costs to tell you what we'd actually recommend.
Get a Free Laptop Recommendation→Trackpad(typical failure: 5-8 years)
Click mechanism wears, surface coating degrades on older models
Display cable(typical failure: 5-8 years)
Flex cable frays from hinge movement, causing flickering or stage lighting
Screen replacement
Battery replacement
RAM upgrade
Charging port repair
Fan replacement
Motherboard repair
Which laptop brand lasts longest? Rankings based on real repair data.