new laptop or new hard drive?

Question

Basically, I dropped my laptop and the hard drive got damaged.

I now have the option of getting a new laptop or replacing the hard drive, and want your opinions.

At first I thought it will be enough to replace just the hard drive and continue using it, considering it's cheaper than buying a whole new laptop. I mean, someone even suggested that I can replace it with a hard drive of a bigger size (in terms of space for files and stuff).

But now that I think about it, my laptop is quite beat up.
There is a part of the screen that is a bit damaged, but nothing major. It doesn't obscure the view of anything, it's just there sitting in the top left corner. And there is a tiny crack also next to my trackpad. Caused by the drop. I've been using this laptop for almost 2 years now.

So my laptop is beat up, but if I get a hard drive it'll work as well as any other lap top,
however now I'm thinking if I should just invest in a new one and forget about this one instead because now I'm afraid that perhaps more signs of damage will show up later even after I replace the hard drive (if other parts of my laptop got damaged from the drop...which I won't know until I can get it to work again).

I mean, yes, a completely new laptop will cost more, but do you think that would be a good investment?
What would you do in my situation?

To save money, and just get a new hard drive and continue using this laptop,
or to invest in a new laptop.

I am a college student (aka kind of tight on money), and I do use my laptop a lot, but i also need money to spend on other things, too.

I don't know which would be better.
Any advice? Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

in your situation,i'd go for new one because they aren't as expensive as before.this is in general because i don't know what the spec of your old one which need about the same spec to replace.hope that helps.

Answer 2

A laptop is in a business context considered obsolete after three to five years - closer to three than to five, though it varies a bit from business to business. It seems as if your computer's been abused more than used, so it might be better for you to buy a new computer rather than fix the old - and either go for a (very) cheap laptop (so that your tendency to abuse the computer won't come at a significant cost) or an expensive, metal-chassis laptop (so that it can take the abuse better than a plastic-chassis laptop). Sony VAIO is actually available in carbon fiber, though that is perhaps out of your price range.



I'd lean towards going for a cheap netbook or something similar, add an external drive for backups, and go from there; you're not likely to change your computer use habits soon.

Answer 3

if it's two years old it's time for a new one but Mac, windows, Linux,Ubuntu you pick. but if I were you I would buy a new laptop cheers!