Absolutely. If I send my laptop to a computer shop to get repaired, what assurance do I have that they won't go through my files? None. If you're worried, either copy your information to an external drive, or use full-disk encryption.

If a laptop repair costs half as much as a new laptop—or more—consider getting a replacement, especially if your machine is more than a few years old. If your computer is only 1 or 2 years old, it's probably worth fixing.

On average, computer repairs can range anywhere from a few hours to 2-3 weeks – factors such as scheduling or part availability can make repairs take longer. Thankfully, there are services you can consider that can speed up the process.

Liquid-damage repair. Spilling a drink on a laptop is surprisingly common. The repair cost doesn't necessarily depend on how much liquid was spilled, but on how much damage was caused when it got inside. Average cost: $100–250.