No one likes to have a machine that isn’t working, whether it be a desktop computer, a mobile phone, a tablet, or a gaming system. It can always be a hassle to decide how to go about getting them fixed, but what do our expert writers here at Make Tech Easier do? We asked them, “Do you fix your own electronics or send them out?”
Our Opinion
Fix It Themselves
Several of our writers try to fix their own machines. Christopher and Vamsi always try to fix their own. In the case that it was beyond what they could do, they’d probably opt to replace it rather than try to fix it. Derrik is in the same boat, explaining “he’s been fixing his own electronics for most of his life, be it computers, game consoles, appliances, phones, or tablets. He solders, rewires, and tinkers, whatever it takes“. If he needs more help, he heads over to ifixit.com, and like the others, buys new if it seems beyond repair.
For Miguel, he doesn’t have much of a choice as he’s in Romania, and “that makes fixing one’s own electronics a bit mandatory.” This is is because even if he were to send out a device that’s still under warranty, he would have to wait a few weeks for the fix. Damien tries to send his devices under warranty out for repair as well, otherwise will attempt to fix it himself. If he can’t and if the repair is costly, he’ll get a new one.
It All Depends
Mahesh and Himanshu agreed. If the broken product has a hardware issue, they’ll send it out for repair, but if it’s a software-related issue, they’ll fix it themselves. Mahesh notes it’s rare that he can’t fix a software issue on his own, and in that case, Himanshu reaches out to experts on forums.
Phil starts with YouTube, and if he can’t find a tutorial there, which is rare, then he evaluates his ability to do it on his own. If he feels he’ll make it worse, he considers replacing it. He notes that he’s even been known to tinker with things and make them better, such as with his old iPod Mini.
Send It Out
Trevor doesn’t waste time and just sends most of it out. Even though he has a day job “that encompasses installing and repairing 12-volt electronics,” most of the items that break are more easily fixed if sent out. However, he will try to do the smaller jobs such as changing a phone’s screen, replacing a battery, or swapping a hard drive. Judy sends them directly to be fixed as well, as then it’s one less thing she has to do on her own, and it usually gets done faster.
Jeffry looked at the process as an adventure and used to try and fix everything on his own, but it cost him dearly. He still has lingering regrets but learned a lot from it. He now lets the experts do what they do best. I do the same. I tried to add my own memory to an iMac once, within days of purchase, ended up breaking the CD tray, and ended my warranty by attempting it myself. I learned my lesson as well, and now I, too, let the experts do what they do best.
Your Opinion
You’ve heard from our experts on what they do with their own machines, whether they feel they can fix it on their own or whether they depend on repair to take care of the problem. Do you fix your own electronics or send them out? Let us know in the comments section below.
Image credit: D40 repair
Laura has spent nearly 20 years writing news, reviews, and op-eds, with more than 10 of those years as an editor as well. She has exclusively used Apple products for the past three decades. In addition to writing and editing at MTE, she also runs the site’s sponsored review program.
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