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    What's up with broken laptop parts?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by David, Jul 23, 2007.

  1. David

    David NBR Random Reviewer NBR Reviewer

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    I've seen a few people selling them on ebay and I'm just curious as to why people would buy old broken laptops..
     
    David, Jul 23, 2007
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  2. Pureknight

    Pureknight Notebook Consultant

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    I'd say its for people who need a specific part, which might still be working (Ie: a laptop with a broken screen could still have a working motherboard for example)
     
    Pureknight, Jul 23, 2007
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  3. adinu

    adinu I pwn teh n00bs.

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    Because they can get them for very very cheap, and possibly be able to repair the laptop for a fraction of the cost it would cost them to buy that same laptop in working condition.

    A lot of those laptops have very and cheap repairs, but the sellers are unwilling to deal with those, so they just sell them as is. And people that are good with computers buy them for almost nothing, fix them up and have a working laptop for a fraction of the cost.

    Tho it's not always this case, but I bet a lot of them fall in this category.
     
    adinu, Jul 23, 2007
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  4. hlcc

    hlcc Notebook Evangelist

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    you can salvage the parts, if you get a laptop with a broken monitor you can still take out the CPU, motherboard, HD, RAM and sell them or upgrade an existing laptop.
     
    hlcc, Jul 23, 2007
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  5. Circa69

    Circa69 Notebook Evangelist

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    I was helping a friend get a new computer and for the budget he ended up with a 1.8 Ghz, 1 GB, 80 GB, DVD burner with a 20 inch lcd for a fraction of what it would cost otherwise by buying an Asus notebook with a trashed screen(notebook was ~$130, then ~$200 for the monitor). Now for about $300 more he can add the notebook functionality if he chooses.
     
    Circa69, Jul 23, 2007
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  6. Seraphim

    Seraphim Notebook Enthusiast

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    My sister trashed her laptop. Specifically, the screen. Bought a 2 screen package on ebay for 60 bucks shipped, replaced her broken screen, and now I'll probably sell it for a couple hundred.

    The screens normally cost 200 bucks.
     
    Seraphim, Jul 24, 2007
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  7. moon angel

    moon angel Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    Good question!

    I bought my Mitac with the following faults:

    Battery didn't work
    Screen flickered on and off and had strange red and blue fuzz
    CPU overheated

    The battery isn't an issue for me, I hardly ever use it. Fixed the second problem by re-seating the monitor connections. Fixed the third problem by cleaning out the cooling and applying some Arctic SIlver 5 Thermal Paste.

    So, for £210 I got a machine with an SXGA+ screen, dedicated graphics, Athlon 64... good gaming rig for the money. A new machine with the same power would cost around £500 at least, probably well more and wouldn't have the same high res screen.
     
    moon angel, Jul 24, 2007
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