If your computer feels sluggish, takes ages to boot up, or freezes when you open more than a couple of programs, there’s a good chance you don’t need a new machine at all. You need an SSD upgrade.
At PC Express Computer Shop in Sale, Manchester, SSD upgrades are one of the most popular repairs we carry out. And for good reason: it’s the single most effective way to breathe new life into an ageing PC or Mac.
SSD stands for solid state drive. Unlike traditional hard drives (HDDs), which use spinning discs to read and write data, SSDs use flash memory. That means no moving parts, faster read/write speeds, and a much more responsive computer.
Think of it like swapping a filing cabinet for a digital search engine. Everything your computer needs to access gets found instantly instead of being manually rifled through.
Most older PCs and Macs shipped with mechanical hard drives. These were fine at the time, but they’re now the biggest bottleneck in your system. Your processor might be perfectly capable, your RAM might be adequate, but if your storage drive can’t keep up, everything feels slow.
Here’s what you can expect after an SSD upgrade:
We’ve had customers in Sale and across Manchester bring in laptops they were ready to bin. After fitting an SSD, they walked out with what felt like a brand new machine.
Almost any PC or laptop can take an SSD. That includes:
If you’re not sure whether your machine can be upgraded, pop into our shop on Washway Road in Sale and we’ll check it for you. No charge for a quick look.
To put it in perspective:
Even the most basic SSD is three to four times faster than a traditional hard drive. NVMe drives are in another league entirely.
This is the question we get asked most. The good news: we clone your existing drive onto the new SSD. That means all your files, programs, settings, and passwords transfer across exactly as they were. You turn on your computer and everything looks the same, it’s just faster.
If your old drive has issues or you’d prefer a fresh start, we can do a clean installation of Windows or macOS instead. Either way, we’ll make sure nothing important gets lost.
Most SSD upgrades are done same day or next day. It depends on the size of your existing drive and how much data needs cloning, but you’re usually looking at a couple of hours. We’ll give you a realistic timeframe when you drop it off.
Prices vary depending on the capacity you need and the type of drive your machine takes. As a rough guide:
For an exact quote, bring your machine in or give us a ring on 0161 291 1044. Prices quoted are estimates based on the information provided and may be subject to change upon inspection.
Not sure if an SSD is the right fix? Here are the telltale signs:
If any of those sound familiar, an SSD will almost certainly fix it.
We’ve been upgrading PCs and Macs in Sale and across Manchester for years. SSD fitting is quick, affordable, and makes a genuine difference you’ll notice straight away.
Pop into our shop at 185 Washway Road, Sale, M33 4AH, or call us on 0161 291 1044. We’re open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm, and Saturday, 10am to 2:30pm.
Don’t replace your computer when all it needs is a faster drive.
Is your PC running slow? You are not alone. It is one of the most common complaints we hear at PC Express in Sale, Manchester, and the good news is that a sluggish computer rarely means you need to buy a new one. Before you spend hundreds on a replacement, there are some straightforward things worth checking first.
A slow PC is almost always caused by one of a handful of issues. Here is what to look for, starting with the most likely culprits.
A hard drive that is over 90% full will grind your system to a halt. Windows needs free space to manage temporary files, updates, and virtual memory. If your drive is nearly full, clearing out old files, emptying the recycle bin, and uninstalling programs you no longer use can make a noticeable difference.
Still running a traditional spinning hard drive? That is almost certainly the biggest bottleneck. Upgrading to an SSD (solid state drive) is the single best upgrade you can make to an older PC. Boot times drop from minutes to seconds, and everything feels snappier. We offer SSD upgrades at our shop in Sale starting from just 59 pounds, including full data transfer.
RAM is your computer’s short-term memory. If you are running Windows 10 or 11 with only 4GB, your system is constantly swapping data to disk, which slows everything down. For everyday use in 2026, 8GB is the absolute minimum. For anything more demanding, 16GB is the sweet spot.
A RAM upgrade is one of the cheapest and most effective computer repairs we do. Pop into our shop on School Road in Sale and we can check what your machine supports and fit it the same day.
Sometimes the problem is not your hardware at all. Background programs, browser extensions, and malware can quietly consume your CPU and memory. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and check what is using the most resources. You might be surprised.
Pre-installed bloatware is another common culprit, especially on budget laptops. Manufacturers load them with trial software that runs at startup and drags performance down. Our spyware and virus removal service can strip all of that out and give you back the speed you paid for.
Like a car, your operating system benefits from regular maintenance. Pending updates, corrupted system files, and fragmented drives all contribute to a PC running slow over time.
Running Windows Update, clearing temporary files, and checking for disk errors are straightforward tasks. If you are not confident doing it yourself, we offer a full PC health check service. We will diagnose the issue, clean things up, and let you know honestly whether a repair or replacement makes more sense. Check out our guide to spring cleaning your tech for tips you can try at home.
Dust builds up inside PCs and laptops over time, blocking fans and heat sinks. When your processor gets too hot, it deliberately slows itself down to avoid damage. This is called thermal throttling, and it is far more common than people realise.
If your laptop feels unusually hot, the fans are loud, or it slows down after 10 to 15 minutes of use, overheating is almost certainly the cause. A professional clean and thermal paste replacement can bring temperatures back to normal and restore full performance. This is something we do regularly at our laptop repair service.
Sometimes a machine genuinely is past its best. If your PC is over 8 years old, has a failing motherboard, or simply cannot run the software you need, replacement might be the better investment. But in our experience, at least half the slow PCs that come through our door just need a bit of attention.
Here is a rough guide:
We also offer home support visits if you cannot bring your PC into the shop. We will come to you in the Sale, Altrincham, and wider M33 area.
If you are in Sale, Manchester or the surrounding M33 area and your PC is running slow, bring it in or give us a call. We will give you an honest assessment with no hard sell and no unnecessary work. Just straightforward computer repair from people who know what they are doing.
PC Express, School Road, Sale, Manchester M33. Get in touch or call us on 0161 969 3111.
Cracked your iPhone screen? You’re not alone — it’s by far the most common repair we see at PC Express. Before you rush out to buy a new phone or order a cheap repair kit online, here’s what you actually need to know about iPhone screen replacement in 2026.
The cost varies depending on your iPhone model. Here’s a rough guide for 2026:
| iPhone Model | Approx. Screen Cost | Repair Time |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone SE (2nd/3rd gen) | £45–£65 | 30 mins |
| iPhone 11 / 12 | £55–£80 | 30–45 mins |
| iPhone 13 | £65–£90 | 30–45 mins |
| iPhone 14 | £80–£110 | 45 mins |
| iPhone 15 | £90–£130 | 45–60 mins |
| iPhone 16 | £110–£150 | 45–60 mins |
These are our typical repair costs at PC Express, Sale. Apple charges significantly more for out-of-warranty repairs — so why pay more?
We get it — YouTube makes it look easy. But here’s the reality:
A professional repair takes 30–60 minutes, preserves your phone’s functionality, and comes with a warranty. A botched DIY job can turn a £70 repair into a £500 replacement.
Apple offers screen repairs through their stores and authorised service providers. The quality is guaranteed, but the cost is significantly higher — often £200–£350+ depending on the model. If you’re out of warranty and don’t have AppleCare+, a local repair shop like PC Express offers the same quality repair at a fraction of the price.
Not every crack means you need a full replacement. Here’s when you should act:
If it’s just a small crack in the corner and everything else works fine, you might be okay for a while — but don’t leave it too long. Moisture and dust will get in and cause bigger problems.
We’ve been repairing phones, computers, and devices in Sale, Manchester since 2007. Here’s why locals choose us:
Pop in and see us, or get in touch for a quote.
PC Express, Sale, Manchester — honest, affordable tech repairs since 2007.
If your PlayStation 5 suddenly has no display, flickering video, or only works when the cable is held at a certain angle, there is a good chance the HDMI port is damaged. HDMI port faults are one of the most common PS5 issues we see in repair shops, and many console owners are surprised by how easily this damage can happen.
The HDMI port on a PS5 is not designed to handle repeated stress. The console itself is large and heavy, and the HDMI port is mounted directly onto the motherboard. This means even a small amount of force can cause internal damage.
Some of the most common causes of PS5 HDMI port damage include:
• Accidentally knocking the HDMI cable while the console is plugged in
• Moving the PS5 without unplugging the cable first
• Using cheap or overly stiff HDMI cables
• The console tipping over while connected to the TV
• Repeatedly plugging and unplugging the cable at an angle
Over time, or sometimes instantly, this can cause the internal pins of the HDMI port to bend or break away from the board. Once this happens, the PS5 will struggle to send a signal to your TV or monitor.
If you are experiencing any of the following problems, your PS5 HDMI port may need repair:
• No signal on the TV even though the console powers on
• Flickering screen or intermittent display
• Image only appears when the cable is wiggled
• Distorted or low resolution output
• PS5 works on one TV but not another
These issues are often misdiagnosed as a faulty HDMI cable or TV, but in many cases the port itself is the real problem.
Yes, a PS5 HDMI port can be repaired, but it is not a simple DIY fix. The port is soldered directly onto the motherboard and replacing it requires specialist tools, micro soldering experience, and a steady hand.
Attempting to repair it without proper equipment can easily cause further damage, turning a repairable console into an unrepairable one. This is why professional PS5 HDMI port repair is always recommended.
If your PS5 HDMI port is damaged, we can help. We specialise in PS5 HDMI port repairs and have the tools and experience needed to carry out the repair safely and professionally.
Whether your console has no display, a flickering screen, or a loose HDMI connection, we can diagnose the issue and restore your PS5 back to full working order. Simply follow the link below to book your PS5 HDMI port repair and get back to gaming without the cost of a replacement console.
Fixing your PS5 HDMI port is easier than you might think when it is handled by the right repair specialists.
If your PS5 HDMI port is damaged, we can help. We specialise in PS5 HDMI port repairs and have the tools and experience needed to carry out the repair safely and professionally.
Whether your console has no display, a flickering screen, or a loose HDMI connection, we can diagnose the issue and restore your PS5 back to full working order. Simply follow the link below to book your PS5 HDMI port repair and get back to gaming without the cost of a replacement console.
Fixing your PS5 HDMI port is easier than you might think when it is handled by the right repair specialists.
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