SD - thank you for your input.
As to 'further tech malfunctions', it seems to me that the average laptop's design life is probably not more than 3 yrs or so and thus one can reasonably expect 'trouble' after that - depending on usage of course. The screen and hinges are fine and my local Asian run computer shop is quite good at re-attaching/replacing keys at modest cost so I don't really know what to expect next - hence the dilemma.
Cheers,
mcdhu