Is this computer worth fixing, or should you buy a new one?
You just want to check your email or pay a bill. Instead, you’re waiting on the computer again. And the guy at the store already told you it’s time for a new one.
Before you spend hundreds, call me. It’s a free ten-minute second opinion. Tell me what it’s doing and what you use it for, and I’ll tell you honestly: fix it, upgrade it, or replace it.
Free. No sales pitch. I don’t make a cent on computers, so I have no reason to push one.
What do you need?
“It’s slow” doesn’t tell you what to buy.
More memory, a new drive or a whole new computer might help. But buying before checking skips the real question: what’s actually stopping this one from doing what you need?
Tell me what you use it for, where it gets stuck and what you want to spend. You’ll get one of three answers. Sometimes I need to take a closer look first, and that’s free too.
- Keep it
- What’s still good, what needs attention, and whether a repair makes sense for how you use it. If a $99 tune-up is all it needs, I’ll tell you.
- Upgrade it
- What would actually help, usually memory or a faster drive, what it costs all in, and the most it’s worth spending on a computer that age.
- Replace it
- Two or three specific computers that fit your budget and what you do, plus what to ignore at the store. Buy it wherever you like. I never mark up hardware.
Spend money on what will actually help.
I never mark up hardware. If you do need a new computer, I’ll show you two or three specific options and can order one at cost, with the receipt, or you buy it anywhere you like. Choosing, ordering, full setup and moving your files are $199 flat.
Age alone doesn’t decide it. What failed, what the repair costs and what you use the computer for all matter.
Then it’s your call
- Do nothing. The advice is yours to keep.
- Let me look closer. The diagnosis is free.
- Keep it. A remote fix is $99; hands-on repair is $149 labor, parts at cost.
- Replace it. I’ll help you choose, set it up and move everything for $199.
You don’t need to shop before you call.
- What should I have ready?
- Just tell me what you do on the computer and what’s become a pain. If you know roughly how old it is, great. No specs needed.
- Can you decide in ten minutes?
- Often, yes. If it’s crashing for no clear reason or something may be failing, I’ll want to look closer before telling you to spend money. That’s free too.
- What about everything on the old computer?
- If you replace it, I’ll move your files, programs, email and printer too. Complete setup and transfer are $199, and nothing on the old one gets erased until it’s all checked.
Free · 10 minutes
Before you do what ChatGPT just told you to do to your computer…
AI is great at suggesting fixes. It also sometimes tells people to delete the wrong thing, change settings that are hard to undo, or reinstall Windows when a ten-minute fix would do. Read me what it told you. I’ll tell you if it’s safe, if it’s right, and if there’s an easier way.
If it turns out to need a fix, a remote fix is $99 flat, and if I can’t fix it, you don’t pay.
Not ready to call? Get my free cheat sheet.
One printable page: what to tell ChatGPT when something breaks, the magic sentence, how to show it your screen, and the scam pop-up rule. I’ll email it to you, plus a few short tips over the next week.
Before you spend hundreds, spend ten minutes with me.
The second opinion is free. Tell me what it’s doing, what you need it to do and what you want to spend. I’ll tell you whether to fix it, upgrade it or replace it. Then you decide.
Rather fix it yourself next time?
I’ll show you how to turn ChatGPT into your personal IT guy: the exact words that get it to walk you through printers, sound, Wi-Fi and scary pop-ups, one step at a time. Eight short lessons. Works with the free ChatGPT app.