Frequently, firms only consider the initial purchase price of these gadgets. Maintenance is not a consideration, but it should be. Tablets and smartphones are mobile. They aren't stationary objects safely placed on desks and left there over the course of their life cycle. Broken screens are common with both tablets and smartphones, and such damage isn't covered under warranty.
N.E.W. Customer Service Companies (NEW) put forward data showing that repairs of some popular tech gadgets cost 50 to 100 percent of the original product purchase price. Based on claims data from NEW, the top reason that tablets fail is LCD failure. The average cost to repair, including parts and labor, is about $228, which is approximately 50 percent of the average estimated purchase cost of $423. Other top reasons for tablet failure are digitizer failure (repair cost $228) and main board failure (repair cost $328).
In Alkhobar, to repair the broken screens on an iPad with nongenuine glass costs a minimum of SR400. A genuine screen is pricy at SR750 and five days for the repair. Even worse, the glass replacement screens are out of stock and not expected to be available for two weeks. Another issue for companies is the point of having to give the device to a repair shop, exposing data and having the smartphone or tablet out of action for an extended period.
Repairing broken electronics isn't rocket science and a US firm, Phone Doctors, has created resources that allow people to do their own repairs for their phones and tablets. Companies could keep a stock of such kits on hand, particularly for the screens, enabling repairs to be done on the premises by their own staff in under an hour.
Some of the solutions from Phone Doctors () include:
The ScrewMat: This invention simplifies the process of repairing SmartPhones. The iPhone 4 has over twenty screws in multiple sizes that are required to fit in specific places. The ScrewMat magnetically holds the screws and small parts while providing an easy to follow guide detailing where these screws belong.
PhoneDoctors App: This mobile application helps both professionals and consumers repair SmartPhones more efficiently. The app features step-by-step repair guides and videos for all major Smartphone and mobile devices. New guides are added monthly.
PhoneDoctors DIY Kits: These kits for specific makes and models of smartphones and tablets allow anyone to quickly and easily make repairs. The kit offers videos, quality tested parts and all the tools needed for a successful repair. The Phone Doctors DIY Kits also include a DIY version of the ScrewMat.
By the way, it's not just the repair of tablets and smartphones that are a “do it yourself” (DIY) trend. Live Gooroo is a mobile app that enables use of an Apple iPhone or Android device to diagnose, and in some cases, repair a computer. The app runs right from a smartphone using the mobile device USB cable or WIFI. Install the app in the smartphone and then connect the phone to the computer. The app runs virus and spyware scans and generates diagnostics and repair log files that are easily read on the smart phone. The mobile app has over 200 routines for diagnosing and repairing computers and includes diagnostics from nearly all PC manufacturers.
