Powerbook G4 repairs locally?

[xmasfruitcake.livejournal.com]

I have a G4- about one year old. The cd/dvd drive sounds like a monster. It will not accept a disk but repeatedly (as in every 3 seconds) tries to accept one. Sounds like chewing metal. I was told by the genius bar at the Mac store it would cost about $700 because there is a slight dent on the keyboard casing which suggests I may have been responsible for the broken drive, thus making my AppleCare useless for this. I also inquired with Tekserve in NYC and they suggested about $400. I'm wondering if anyone knows anything more local and less expensive. I'd really like to have this disk drive replaced asap. Thanks!

Comments

[dominika-kretek.livejournal.com]

I had a warranty repair done at The Computer Loft in Allston. They were prompt and helpful, but I don't know how their prices compare, since it was, you know, a warranty repair. They're right near the Packard's Corner T.

[bnp1223.livejournal.com]

I've had work (out of warranty) done there several times and they often have parts in stock (and sometimes can give you a choice between a new and a reconfigured part) and are sometimes able to fix things while you wait (if it is a simple enough problem and they aren't busy).

don't go to the store.

[trysha.livejournal.com]

Every time I have gone to the "genius bar" in the hopes of getting something repaired quickly, i've been told that the problem was my fault in some way and that I would have to pay huge sums of money to get the machine fixed.
Sometimes I think that they are told to try to deny as many applecare claims as possible.

Every time, I have called the applecare 1-800 number, explained the problem, and they fixed it under apple care for me.

The process is simple and fast, they send you a box, you send it to them, and they send you back a fixed computer.

Besides, they don't actually fix things at the apple store anyhow, they ship your computer off to be fixed.

Re: don't go to the store.

[viellen]

They do actually fix machines at the Apple Store, depending on the type of repair, but they have full in-house repair capabilities...and they also accept many many AppleCare repairs (moreso than not). For machines with physical damage I recommend The Computer Loft, Tech Superpowers, or Organize-It--they'll all do repairs under warranty as well.

Re: don't go to the store.

[nowalmart.livejournal.com]

I just wish the people did not punch me at the Apple Store.

*ouch*

[ruthling.livejournal.com]

try tech superpowers on newbury st (http://www.techsuperpowers.com/); i had good work from them when a hard drive crashed.

[nhradar.livejournal.com]

Yes! I highly recommend TechSuperPowers. Full-service shop, and very dedicated to customer service. I even bought my last computer from them.

Thanks everyone!

[xmasfruitcake.livejournal.com]

Great recommendations. Can't wait to use my laptop without this crunching noise...

[laklare.livejournal.com]

If it's just the DVD drive, can't you just replace it yourself? Buy one online and throw it in...or does Apple make that difficult in order to extort more $ from you? I've only ever owned PCs, but the parts are the same. You may have to take off a lot more screws on the Mac, but it should be doable.

[toonhead-npl.livejournal.com]

TechSuperPowers is fantastic. But if they're too expensive, try Geek Housecalls ( http://www.geekhousecalls.com/geekmain.html ). We've used them at work a few times, and they're good and reasonably priced for computer work.

[shannynegans.livejournal.com]

tech superpowers is expensive, i recommend the computer loft.

[yangelina.livejournal.com]

FYI everybody: Beware of TechFusion at FreshPond. My office's sysadmin took his personal laptop to get fixed and they broke something else. Every single person there refuses to admit that they could've possibly made an error, including the owner. My sysadmin is one of the most gentle guy I've ever met and he isn't the type to throw tantrums at a business, so this isn't an ego thing.

He went back repeatedly to see if they would resolve the issue, and was eventually swore at by the owner twice (under his breath). After that he took it up with WBUR to see if they could help him speak to the owner, and the owner promised the lady at WBUR repeatedly that he'd call, but never did. It made me sad because now I feel like I can't trust the businesses that advertise with NPR anymore. I used to think highly of them.

Anyhoo - xmasfruitcake, I hope your laptop is doing well now!

[twe.livejournal.com]

If you're willing to tackle it yourself, you can probably buy a new drive from iFixit (http://www.ifixit.com) for a lot less - they've got a combo drive for $150.

Local Mac Laptop Repair NYC

[a7878.livejournal.com]

Try this Laptop Repair Service in NYC, they did a great job on my macbook and the price was right. Marc (http://www.portatronics.com) ()