New Latop Motherboard, How Expensive???

[SLU MD]

My brother just called me and said that the guy at best buy (i know take it with a grain of salt), said that his motherboard appeared to be broken and he would need a new one.

My question is how much do motherboards cost or should he just get a new laptop. I am very experienced with desktop hardware (have built 7 different computers), but never messed with a laptop.

The computer is a Dell inspiron, about 2 yrs old, does NOT have centrino. I dont have the exact model #, but its nothing spectacular. Cost about $1,400 2 years ago.

Thanks

SLU MD

 

[HappyPuppy]

It will run between $500 and $900 without installation.

Doesn't he have the extended warranty?

 

[jschuk]

I have fixed several laptop boards that Best Buy said had to be replaced. I am not saying that they mis-diagnose all of them, just that they sometimes seem to give up on probing the problem further. What kind of problem are is he having? Make sure he contacts Dell as well. I don't know what Dell's replacement part prices are like, but most of the repairs I see are in the $400-650 range (average around $520) with labor provided the board isn't physically damaged. Most manufacturer have an core exchange program, but you may have to send it in and have them replace it.

 

[Corporate Thug]

i think it would be cheaper to sell your lappy for parts and put the money towards a new one

 

[Tango57]

check first with dell to see if it's still covered under warranty. my dell was 3 yrs. old and i didn't know it still had a rapid return depot warranty when i called. all that i thought was wrong with it was a broken LCD and DVD drive. i sent it back to dell and they checked it out and ended up replacing the motherboard, LCD, DVD drive, and keyboard all for FREE! i didn't even know the other parts were broken and can you imagine how much that all would have cost me if it wasn't covered? dell paid for the shipping too.