Thinkpad X220 problems - is this a motherboard failure? Buy new or repair?

Hi, I own a Thinkpad X220 that I bought in fall 2011. Since the beginning of 2014 my computer has started to have an existential crisis. I have searched around and it seems like it could be a motherboard failure, but could anyone chime in if they have experience with this also?

The problems:

• Random shutoffs if moving the computer around
• Occasional shutoffs while stationary, not often
• 90% of times when going into standby mode, all lights will go off and the computer dies
• USB ports sometimes don't pick up on connected devices
• Bluetooth randomly reboots every 3-4 hours which causes connected mouse to lose connection
• Battery mode is possible if keeping computer stationary, if having the computer in lap it dies

I can have the motherboard swapped for $300 locally (in Bangkok) or just buy a new machine. I'm just not sure about Thinkpad anymore, they no longer seem like the best and most reliable option. And screen resolutions do suck..

Is this a motherboard problem or something else? If you were in my shoes, would you buy a new computer (which one) or would you repair?

 

Could be a memory (RAM) issue; give a try with other RAM stick.

Why don't you pick up a motherboard from ebay and do the swap by yourself? Thus you'll keep the replacement cost under $150-200. The hardware maintenance manual is very detailed - http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/0a60739.pdf

 

the w520 memory doors were known to be poorly ground and it caused sudden shutdowns. I would read about that. But yes memory is the cheapest solution so try to remove one ram module at a time and test with memtest.