[LewisM]

Decided to get the faulty power plug laptop fixed. Took it to one computer repair joint - a nationally known one - and they said that the plug on the board would require a complete new MOBO and the screen (I have had grey streaks in the monitor for about a year) for $400 and $300 respectively. $700 all up - which is about $600 shy of a new comparable system (it is a pretty high-end system).

Took it to the accredited repairer for this make. Told me the power socket is a separate mini-board, and that costs $59 installed. The monitor would be an additional $200 installed.

Needless to say, I went with these guys, and had them throw on an extra bunch of RAM whilst they were at it and STILL came in under the other turkey!!!

Incredible the price spectrum we see these days.