Hivemind: laptop repair without extortion?
Posted by Tom on Wednesday, 23 Jul 2008
Consider, hypothetically, that one had dropped one's laptop, breaking the backlight to the LCD screen but leaving the screen itself intact. Consider also that the authorised repair company for the laptop manufacturer (name omitted to protect the thieving monopolistic b*st*rds innocent) said that the whole screen has to be replaced at a cost of nearly $500, when it seems that it is theoretically quite possible to replace just the lamp, a component that is worth in the region of $20.
Now suppose, hypothetically of course, that the owner of said laptop is too stingy environmentally responsible to throw away a perfectly good LCD screen. Where in Wellington might that theoretical owner find a reliable, reasonably-priced independent laptop repairer?
I'm not sure that you'll find someone that would just replace the backlight, it is a pretty tricky job, as in the factory its done in a totally dust free environment as any dust would affect the screen. Good luck though :)
to a certain extent it depends on what brand of laptop you're working with, but i've found that the good folks at http://ifix.co.nz/ are able to handle just about anything Apple related
No, it's a PC, not an Apple (it's some other brand of monopolists). For $500 I (erm, I mean "the owner") almost thought "sod it, for that I could almost buy an eeePC", but it's not a good idea to chuck out an otherwise healthy $3500 laptop.
Perhaps just suck it up, pay the $500 and thank dog you're not a car-owner? ;)
There is/was a laptop repair specialist out Ngauranga way who quoted me a reasonable price for a poer supply repair. They offered me a discount if I took it in already deassembled too (whihc was going to be the costly bit) I think it was Portable COmputer Services?
i think your best bet is finding some geek who loves taking things apart and putting them back together. I could name many a geek on twitter or working at catalyst who might be happy to help out in return for a dozen epic
Try http://www.open.net.nz/
Many thanks for all your suggestions.
That's pretty much what I (I mean, the hypothetical owner) had been doing for the last 6 months, using a borrowed monitor. But that's got to go back, and fixing the screen is probably cheaper than a decent monitor. Besides, I've got sick of having to sit in a corner using it as a desktop, when I really want it to be a proper laptop.
Ta anyway.
Besides, I've got sick of having to sit in a corner using it as a desktop, when I really want it to be a proper laptop.
You mean your friend, right?
Yes, I really want my friend to be a laptop. Or something like that.
Don't you have contents insurance?
Nope.
At Trilogic we will replace just the backlight if required. We repair all faults on any make of laptop from power connector to motherboard component fault. We specialise in fast laptop repair.
But I'm guessing you're not in Wellington
The Laptop Company
iPods don't need to be sent away for repair. If it is fixable any true Kiwi can do the job. All you need is the right part.
As far as brand new OEM parts are concerned, www.mysolution.co.nz – iPod Repair Parts sell the cheapest parts I've seen so far for a New Zealand company. They offer 24/7 online support - they send you tutorials and tools with every purchase.
iDoctor.co.nz is probably the next best service provider - they offer much the same service - and they offer their free tutorials online.
Please stop spamming about your own service you offer!
I have taken my Laptop Computer for Repair to a great company called The Computer Guy Ltd. They are located reight near the top of the Wellington Cable Car at have a web site www.compguy.co.nz. They are at 04 499 0098.
I have used them many times now for my business and also had two broken laptops that they were able to help with.
I recommend The Computer Guy Ltd very highly.
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