My Dell XPS M1530 appears to have called it a day after just over 4 years. I believe the motherboard is the culprit since the laptop is doing excatly what it did the last time I had the motherboard replaced under warranty a little over two years ago.

I'm wondering whether it'd be best to just buy a brand new laptop with a warranty but, TBH, I really like the machine so I'm considering having it repaired. Thing is, it would also need a new battery and a keyboard. I've checked online for the cost of parts and they ain't cheap but if labour costs are cheaper in Thailand, I was thinking this might be an option.

Big indecision. Can anyone suggest pros and cons for both options because a fresh, dispassionate perspective might help me make up my mind?

Thanks in advance.

well.. you can get a new Motherboard for US$239 for 128MB video ram or US$329 for 256MB video ram.

Keyboard is US$29

Link to site: http://www.discountelectronics.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=377

I think a new laptop might be cheaper, considering age and all.

GPU problem? No need for a new Motherboard, perhaps just a competent tech. A couple of thousand baht should cover it. Battery and keyboard inexpensive. You can find a battery for as litle as 550 baht.

Example of extended battery

After using Dell for years, I recently replaced my Dell Latitude XP with a Toshiba Portege R835-P81 with an Intel Core i5 processor 2.4 GHz w/3MB cache, RAM 6GB DDR and a 620 GB harddrive (purchased on amazon in US for $750). The Dell cost four times that ad the Toshiba is the BEST computer I have ever owned.

I am very pleasantly surprised with the Toshiba and happy to have cut the cord with Dell.

Also consider that when you repair an old computer, you have yesterday's technology. Although you may have updated hardware in the repair, you will also have old bottlenecks and a worn hard drive. Think about repairing an old car repeatedly over just biting the bullet and replacing it with a later maodel.

Thanks for the replies. I'm leaning towards just buying new at this point because I'm not keen on buying bogus components like motherboards and batteries which could easily go wrong.

Dell original parts are too pricey to justify repairing an old machine and even with a year's guarantee, there's nothing stopping other components failing.

Are Dell as well represented in Thailand as they are in the West in terms of support/service etc ?

call dell thailand. their service is pretty good. (if you have on site warranty)

Thanks for the replies. I'm leaning towards just buying new at this point because I'm not keen on buying bogus components like motherboards and batteries which could easily go wrong.

Dell original parts are too pricey to justify repairing an old machine and even with a year's guarantee, there's nothing stopping other components failing.

Are Dell as well represented in Thailand as they are in the West in terms of support/service etc ?

What kind of nonsense is this? You likely don't need a new Motherboard, just a repair by a competent technician. Perhaps 2000 baht will do it. Replacing the Motherboard is usually done under warranty. As to the battery, many have used them before you and many will after you. You can pay a little more for the battery buying from a reputable seller, such as Powercell Uk on eBay UK. You won't have any problems with the battery.