Computer Repair in Kalamazoo

Welcome to the first installment of the 2019 edition of our “User Questions – Tech Answers”. In our ongoing mission to help make your technology easier, we like to provide you with tools and knowledge to make your computer interaction more “user friendly.” This edition will showcase some of the most popular questions asked us, and also include some new things that we haven’t covered yet.

Q. Why don’t you guys fix smartphones or tablets? Aren’t they all computers?

A. Short answer, no. Back when Geek Easy Computers first came into existence, it was decided that we would focus on what we did best – small business IT services and computer repair. As we have grown and evolved, we have added a multitude of other services, but all relating to our core of computer service and repair. While smartphones and tablets can perform many of the same functions as an actual computer, the technology behind them is actually fairly different from computer technology. As such, it takes a different set of specialized skills to service them effectively. We strive to be the best at what we do. So we devote our valuable time and resources to perfecting those skills, as opposed to branching out to other types of devices. We want to be your expert computer repair choice, not your mediocre fix-it-all place.

Q. Why don’t you give estimates over the phone?

A. Phone estimates are usually wrong or incredibly vague. We can’t provide any accurate cost estimates without knowing what is specifically wrong with your computer and what parts and services it needs. Your description of what is happening (or not happening) lets us know what the symptoms are, but to determine the cause of those symptoms, we would need to perform a physical diagnostic examination of the unit. Once we have determined the cause of the issue, we provide you with repair options. The only accurate phone estimate is that our repairs start with the $50 deposit minimum and could end up being more expensive than replacing the system depending on what all is wrong.

Q. Why don’t you buy used computers or parts? Don’t you sell used computers?

A. As a company policy we do not purchase used computers or parts from individuals. There are several reasons for this, but first and foremost we don’t want to create a market for stolen computers or encourage computer theft in any way. Chances are what you can find at pawn shops or often via Craigslist are being sold because they were stolen.

It is also difficult to guarantee the performance of used items. We specialize in the sale of refurbished desktop & laptop computers. The difference is the computers we sell are business class computers that were previously leased by other businesses. Once off lease, they were purchased by a professional refurbishing company who then refurbishes the computers and puts them through rigorous testing. We only purchase grade “A” models from the company, put them through our own testing, then offer them to our customers.

Q. Do I really need to run updates?

A. Short answer, yes. Software updates offer many benefits which include patching security holes that have been discovered in the software. Updates can also add new features to your devices and remove outdated ones. Cybercriminals love security flaws, also known as software vulnerabilities, which are weaknesses found in programs that a virus author or hacker could exploit to gain access to some part of your device. By the time a software company has the chance to patch and test a fix to a vulnerable program, the weakness is already well known in the security community which also includes people looking to gain access to your computer resources for malicious purposes. It’s best to run security updates as quickly as you can and replace any device that is no longer receiving security updates.

We are always available to help make your technology easier. Geek Easy Computers is your place for news on the latest & greatest, and your place to get answers to your questions!

Adonis has been involved in computer technology since well, a LONG time! He has been involved in nearly every aspect of the industry from sales to repair to training to consulting. As the Social Media Manager he writes the majority of the posts on the Geek Easy Computers blog.