Practical notes from the bench.

buy-sell

Buying a used or refurbished device without getting stung

Ask about the model, battery behaviour, previous repairs and whether the account lock is clear — not just the cosmetic grade.

advice

Repair versus replacement: an honest decision

A repair is worth doing when the rest of the device is healthy. Here is how we talk through that in the workshop.

data

Data recovery without false hope

If the photos matter, say that first. The path for files is not always the path for a working phone.

iphone

iPhone repair: model, Face ID and previous work

An iPhone repair goes better when we know the model, whether Face ID still works, and if anyone has already been inside.

samsung

What to tell us when you book a Samsung repair

The Galaxy model, the exact fault, and whether the phone has already been opened will change the advice.

macbooks

MacBook problems we see in Wolverhampton

Charging-only machines, liquid in the keyboard, and displays that fail after a bag drop are the usual MacBook stories.

laptops

Why a laptop becomes slow — and what is worth doing

Heat, storage and leftover software explain most slow machines. Not every slow laptop needs replacing.

laptops

Laptop not turning on: charger, battery or board?

A dark laptop is a sequence of tests, not a single part you can guess from a photo.

water

Water damage: the first hour matters more than the brand

Rice, hairdryers and “it dried out overnight” are how small liquid faults become board faults.