Making Headlines

Fort Lauderdale computer repair experts see may a failed hard drive.

But according to the Apple blog, all are not created equal.

Consider these tales of two different clients before seeking out what machine to buy. You'd be surprised at the disparity between them - along with the resulting Fort Lauderdale computer repair costs and experiences that arise...

Client #1.

This user comes in because Windows won’t boot on her Dell.

The minute she turns on the PC, the horrible high-pitched clicking noise - nails on a chalkboard to any technician - comes on and it’s obvious the drive has failed and the solution is to replace it.

Fortunately the computer is under warranty. No big deal, Dell should replace the hard drive. I call Dell. After 20 minutes on hold, nothing.

Eventually, another obstacle is faced - the client is a student and the father bought the computer via his work. Dell will not assist until the owner of the computer and the shipping address are verified.

After a game of multiple choice, the info is verified and the tech begins to assist. First, the tech wants to try a special diagnostic preformed off the hard drive.

Of course the hard drive is dead.

The tech asks the client to boot off a CD that come with the system, which of course the client doesn’t have. He now wants us to open up the computer and reset everything.

Eventually, the agent agrees the hard drive should be replaced.

Now, they must ship the hard drive to one of their contracted field techs per her warranty. Her warranty was “upgraded” to include on-site repair.

The tech will then contact her to set a time to install the hard drive. Three days later, there was no contact from the tech, no hard drive.

Total time on the phone: three hours. Delay in hard drive replacement: almost two weeks. One shot deal or chronic problem, this was an ordeal.

Client #2.

The next client had a Macbook, the same brand and size of hard drive as was in the Dell. The computer was still under warranty.

After setting up a “Speak to an Apple Expert” call-back for 20 minutes later, on the dot, the technician called. After explaining the loud noise and telling the tech, a Leopard DVD boot showed hard drive errors.

He agreed to ship a new hard drive the next day. Total phone time was less than five minutes and it was 30 minutes from problem diagnosis to closure and less than 24 hours before a new hard drive arrived on her doorstop.

For argument's sake, let’s say these Mac and PC clients didn’t use a consultant to solve their problem and went about it on their own.

The Mac client could have still made an appointment with a genius if an Apple store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider for the repair.

The PC client, meanwhile, has no physical store she could go to unless she bought that PC at a store that also offered warranty repair.