They've got good deals, but what can big box stores (such Best Buy and Circuit City) really offer in terms of computer repairs and upgrades?

Let's take a look at what Fort Lauderdale computer repair seekers can expect when taking similar problems to both chains - located less than a mile apart from each other in South Florida - within the same week.

CIRCUIT CITY

To start off, there was an incredibly fast response from the sales team. At the point when you start asking about various computer services, the staff is quick to recommend a $30-130 in-store service from the "firedog" team ... which uninstalls all adware, freeware and spyware, and provides the computer owner with a clean setup.

The firedog service desk is a somewhat recent addition to Circuit City stores.

The technicians offer in-store or at-home services like standard Broward computer services and repair, to home theater installation, to "integrated" service that covers things like setting up a new MP3 player to training someone on a digital camera.

Unfortunately, service experience at the firedog desk has been somewhat mixed. Some technicians were unfamiliar with some versions of an operating system and had to search for more info about Windows Vista on the Microsoft website. Hardware installation and upgrades proved to be better. Hard drive and RAM upgrades are performed in-store for $30.

BEST BUY

The Geek Squad service desk has become a common sight at Best Buy stores offering Fort Lauderdale computer repair services.

You may be a little surprised, then, to learn that Geek Squad staffers act as much like sales staff as the actual Best Buy sales team.

When asked about an upgrade to the 64-bit version of Windows Vista, and installing a total of 4GB of RAM and upgrade the hard drive in a new PC, Geek Squad technicians were all very familiar with the 64-bit versions of Vista, even indicating that the Windows installation alone may take more than one day because of hardware compatibility issues (correct).

However, some consumers are being told it may take more than one week! Moreover, the installation of 64-bit Vista, RAM upgrade and hard drive upgrade might take two or more weeks. Do most people want to be without their computer for that long, especially with the recent bad press about security breaches by the squad?

To make matters worse, the Geek Squad went out of its way to suggest a consumer eschew her Windows-based computer completely and purchase a new Apple iMac desktop computer from Best Buy. It's worth thinking about. When looking for a South Florida computer service to get the job done right and cost-effectively, you're not looking for the Apple store.

CONCLUSION

Both of the stores have their faults, but offer similar store layouts, sales knowledge and services that shoppers may find helpful.

The ability to speak with actual human beings about your computer needs and get on-site assistance when you require Fort Lauderdale computer repair or upgrades is something you can't get from online shopping.

That said, shoppers willing to do a little research are likely to find much, much lower prices from online stores and better quality of service from a small, locally owned Ft. Lauderdale computer repair shop.