Before you take your computer to the repair shop, it's important to ensure that your device is secure. This means making sure that all of your personal information is protected and that your computer is not vulnerable to hackers or other security threats.

If a laptop repair costs half as much as a new laptop—or more—consider getting a replacement, especially if your machine is more than a few years old. If your computer is only 1 or 2 years old, it's probably worth fixing.

On average, computer repairs can range anywhere from a few hours to 2-3 weeks – factors such as scheduling or part availability can make repairs take longer. Thankfully, there are services you can consider that can speed up the process.

Liquid-damage repair. Spilling a drink on a laptop is surprisingly common. The repair cost doesn't necessarily depend on how much liquid was spilled, but on how much damage was caused when it got inside. Average cost: $100–250.