Not fixer-uppers: Ang checking and repairing laptops at ICT mall in George Town, Penang. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Rather than get their old machines repaired, many people prefer to buy new laptops now even though they are getting more expensive.
Ang Guan Chew, who operates a computer repair and service shop, said the number of people sending their laptops for repair has dropped over the past few months.
He used to get about 30 devices a month for repairs last year, but the number has gone down to between 10 and 15 a month lately.
“As the situation slowly improves amid the Covid-19 pandemic, many people prefer to buy new computers.
“Some of them do not want to spend too much repairing the device.
“They say it is expensive, but we charge based on the defect, which is usually a problem with the hard disk or screen.
“We do sell used laptops as well, but these days, people rarely buy them.
“I used to take in used laptops but currently, I have over 100 that have yet to be sold,” said Ang, 67, who has been in the business for 27 years.
He encouraged people to repair their laptops instead of buying new ones as fixing an old device usually only costs a few hundred ringgit.
At a shop selling electronic devices, its store manager Jeft Tan said the prices of the latest smartphones have gone up while those for the older models have remained the same.
He said all these could be attributed to the increase in the cost of raw materials.
“New phone prices have gone up, probably because they have better specifications, plus the price of raw materials has increased as well.
“For example, a new model will cost RM5,699, while older ones are sold at RM5,299,” said Tan, adding that rebates and promotions would make the prices of the latest devices nearly the same as the older models.
“We do have trade-ins for phones as well while prices of laptops have not gone up,” he said.
Tzu Chi Merits Society commissioner Datuk Khoo Boo Leong said the society accepts all forms of devices for recycling at its centres.
“We accept any old phones, tablets and computers.
“We will try to repair them first. If they can be salvaged, we will give them to the B40 group, especially students who need these devices for elearning.
“We have partners from multinational companies who assist us in repairing them.
“Devices that are spoiled will be sold to our vendors and proceeds from the sale would go towards our charitable programmes,” he added.
