# Broken laptop, how much to fix?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broken-laptop-how-much-to-fix/482218>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 20, 2009, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broken-laptop-how-much-to-fix/482218 "2009-01-20T21:50:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![seodoa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@seodoa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seodoa)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broken-laptop-how-much-to-fix/482218/21 "2009-01-22T12:40:37Z")

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> [@MsRobyn](#):
>
> I will advocate for the use of an external mouse, however. The left button on the trackpad has lost its springiness, so it’s impossible to use. I’ve been using an external mouse, and it’s been working out just fine.
> 
> Robin

I’m glad to read that your problem no longer is. Just wanted to second this piece of advice. IME, laptop trackpads are some of the chintziest things around. My laptop’s trackpad started getting noticeably worn after only a year or so of occasional use.

Of course, this is a matter of preference, but I find external mice to be considerably more ergonomic (not to mention easier to use) than a trackpad.

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**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broken-laptop-how-much-to-fix/482218/22 "2009-01-22T12:49:16Z")

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> [@seodoa](#):
>
> I’m glad to read that your problem no longer is. Just wanted to second this piece of advice. IME, laptop trackpads are some of the chintziest things around. My laptop’s trackpad started getting noticeably worn after only a year or so of occasional use.
> 
> Of course, this is a matter of preference, but I find external mice to be considerably more ergonomic (not to mention easier to use) than a trackpad.

I have a standard USB mouse that cost $12. I can deal with that a lot better than I can deal with replacing the whole assembly for more than that.

Robin

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**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broken-laptop-how-much-to-fix/482218/23 "2009-01-22T12:56:41Z")

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Thanks everyone. That’s good to know that, 1) it won’t cost me an arm and a leg to replace if ever it’s necessary and 2) that’s not likely anyway. Yay! And fortunately, since we didn’t figure I’d be too good with the built in mouse-thingie, we opted to go ahead and buy me a cordless for like $14 at Wal\*Mart. So far, so good.

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