Laptop problems (in Off-topic)

PSU cable doesn't connect properly unless you prop it up at an angle. And because it's not connecting properly it's caused the battery life to drop to pretty much zero, even if you manage to get the battery charge up to 100%. With about 4 minutes it's down to zero.

Obviously there's a problem with the connection socket, (I've tried with three separate PSUs) but short of replacing the socket is there anything else I can do without putting it into a repair shop?

(I'm not going to invest in a new battery until I can sort out the power connection problems...)

My mate tried to solder his when it went.

He ended up buying a new laptop. ;)

The DC jack is likely breaking free from the MB. It's a common problem, but one that doesn't have an easy fix. You can send it in to have it fixed, try to solder it yourself, or buy a new MB (not cheap for a lappie).

If you can stabilize it well enough to make it usable, I'd just skip wasting more money on it. How old is this machine?

The repair is going to be expensive, and is unlikely to actually get you back to being as good as new.

The machine is two years old.

If I recall correctly, the replacement MB for my ex's cost $150 with shipping. The repair job only cost about $30, but we would have had to pay to ship it there and back.

She bought a new one instead.

Unfortunately, it's quite hard to fix it robustly yourself depending on the type of connection (one thing that's actually really nice about macbooks). Sure you can do a temporary fix no problem, but it tends to get worse and worse as it wears more over time.

Usually, this means a new laptop.

You can retire this one and use it as a desktop/kitchen computer or something. Make your own little computer kiosk =) Or hang it on the wall and use it as a clock... I wish I could find a photo of that I've seen before.

But it will no longer be a reliable laptop

It's damn annoying. Looks likely we're going to be buying a new one. I'll retire this one to the back-room for when I go and hide from the in-laws...

take it apart some of the plastic might be broken. super glue fixes everything