If he fixes it for less than the cost of a new one ...
That's not a ripoff. Laptops are nearing the price where they're disposable. If it weren't for the fact that I'd have to start over setting up everything how I want it, I don't know that I'd bother getting it fixed.
I realized my old laptop is like an old car. Sure, a new one is better in every way. Except that the old one is paid for. If I can get it fixed for half the price of a new one, and it keeps going for another couple of years, I'm good with that.
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Drew