Happy Mac

Super awesome peeps! They hooked me up with a really low bill, when everyone else was saying that I should drop $ 1K…

Came by here about 6 months ago after spilling coffee on my MacBook Air which rendered it inoperable. They were able to fix it and it worked perfectly. A few months after that, I spilled a tiny bit of water on the same laptop (I know, I’m horrible). It wasn’t turning on, so I brought it back here and they got it working perfectly again! Also, they only charged a very low fee for the cleaning the second time around, saying that they really didn’t have to do much this time. Awesome service! Wish they had faster service, but it’s completely understandable due to them having only a couple of technicians and sooo many other Macs to work on.

Really crappy experience with Happy Mac. When I called to get a quote and when I dropped my laptop off they were super friendly, and quoted me 3 – 4 days. I was told to call them to check in if I hadn’t heard by Wednesday afternoon. I called on Wednesday and the lady was ridiculously rude, like I was annoying her by calling WHEN SHE TOLD ME TO CALL. Again on thursday, still not ready. On Friday I finally got angry and called her, saying this is not the 3 – 4 days quoted… to which she «assured me» they would never have told me that and spill jobs take more time. Except they did assure me that, and they knew it was a spill job from the second I brought it in. I understand if things take a few days longer for some reason, but being rude about it and changing the story is so unprofessional. She said I wouldn’t get it back until at least monday, putting me without a laptop for the second weekend in a row, and then called back a few hours later saying I could pick it up. The tech then told me they couldn’t fix it and it wasn’t working at all (when it actually was working when I dropped it off, the only issue was the fan), and when I did pick it up that afternoon it DID work. Strange. And to top it all off they INSISTED that if they couldn’t fix it they would eliminate the evidence of the spill so I could take it to the apple store, I said I had already been, and they said that’s not a problem, they don’t record the serial number when you go in, and I should definitely pay them the 60 to clean it. Well I went to the Apple store and they had recorded it and I looked like an asshole. Blatant lies, rude as hell, don’t go here!

This place is the worst. I dropped my mac off here and they said to call back on Monday to see if it’s ready. I called and the woman I dropped it off with answered was very rude. The mac was also working when I dropped it off and now it doesnt work at all. DO not take your mac here. If I could do it all over again I would have taken it to the apple store. Now the repair will cost me 800 after taking it here. Buyer beware!

This place saved me, big time. I’m visiting Austin but brought my work hard drive because I had to do some editing while I’m here (I’m a video editor), and of course the drive stopped working the day before a deadline I had to meet. I tried to look up how to fix it, and nothing, I couldn’t bring up the drive’s contents without it crashing Finder. I brought it here because of the good reviews and explained to them the situation and my deadline. While they couldn’t promise that the data was recoverable, the woman told me she’d do what she could. She ended up being able to transfer everything onto a new drive, luckily, and she was able to do it the same day for an incredibly reasonable price and was so, so nice about it. She saved me probably a week of work, at least. I couldn’t be happier, they really went above and beyond. They seem like nice, good, real people who actually want to help, and if you’re nice in return, they should be the perfect place to bring your computer issues to. Thanks again!

Based on the reviews here on Unilocal I decided to take my macbook to Happy Mac for repair. My macbook had fluid spilled all over the keyboard which I assume is a common problem a computer repair place must remedy on a fairly regular basis. My rating is so low for this business because I had to take my computer back three times before they actually fixed it. Also, I discovered that even though they charged me for a cleaning they had not cleaned the inside at all. I felt cheated and disappointed because they assumed I would not inspect their work or they just lack the professionalism and integrity to do what they are paid for. I was without my macbook for two weeks. This place is basically comparable to a dishonest auto repair shop. I felt they took advantage of my lack knowledge on repairing my macbook. I will never visit this place again and I will be sure to caution anyone I can from wasting their time and money at Happy Mac.

Rude customer service. No communication. Took waaaaaay longer than quoted.
The trifecta of a bad business. Plus they don’t open when they are scheduled to and the entire place reeks of stale cigarette smoke. Completely unprofessional.
The price was fair and my computer is in fact updated, but I would never, ever go back there.

They were able to repair my mac for $ 60 as compared to the $ 500 that Apple needed. I have a macbook 15″ with retina display; They did it faster than the other mac repair places had said they could do it as well.
My cat was hoping the damage he did to my computer (I have poorly behaved cats) would result in me giving him full focus due to no longer being able to work – as I am self-​employed and depend on that computer.
My cat thought wrong.

I gave them two old and dead (or nearly dead) laptops, one of which was a PC, and they kindly took them to erase and recycle for free! I also parted with an old external hard drive and they took it without complaint.
They were helpful and I appreciated that they were willing to help me get rid of something responsibly for no fee. I gave them a big tip and will certainly be back when I need help with my Mac!

Great service at a great price. My macbook had slowed down to almost nothing so I needed help. After reading several reviews from various places I ended up at HappyMac. I received a call after several days with an estimate for service. Turns out nothing major just over $ 40. Also had an old mac that I had spilled wine on about 6 years ago, just sitting on the shelf because Apple said $ 800 and up to repair. At that time I just bought a new Mac. After some discussion I took it to HappyMac as well. Returned to full working order (after 6 years of non use!!) for only the price of a new keyboard $ 250. They really do magic there!

Well, I’m surprised by all the good reviews. My experience with them was horrible.
A few months ago my computer was acting weird and shutting down on its own. Even if the battery was full. I took it to Happy Mac because they seemed to have a good rep, at least on Unilocal.Three weeks pass and I don’t hear a thing. I tried to call a few times and the woman who answered was incredibly rude and hung up on me a few times.
When I finally do hear back, I’m told I need a new hard drive. Ok. Done.
Fast forward to now, my computer starts doing the same thing. I take it to Austin MacWorks instead. They get back to me within 2 days and update me on the progress. Long story short, Happy Mac put in a bad, third party hard drive that was close to failing.
Go to Austin MacWorks. They are honest, Apple certified and fast! Fuck Happy Mac.

I took my computer to Happy Mac on a Wednesday soon after they opened shop for the day at 11:00 am. First of all, the place looked like a computer tornado had hit it and smelled like a straight up just-​smoked cigarette. Disgusting. The guy there told me to give them 4 business days to get back with me, but that it’d usually be no more than 2. The next Tuesday I hadn’t heard a word from them so I emailed them early in the morning and received a reply from Debbie around noon that said she’d «be in contact with me shortly.» No where in the message was there a «hello», «sorry for your wait», «thank you»; nothing. I never heard back from them so I called 5 minutes before closing time and Debbie answered. I asked if she knew anything about my computer and she said, very curtly, «I know you’re in a hurry mam’ but we’re working all night and we’ll call you when we know something.»
I went and picked my computer up the next day, took it to the Apple store in Barton Creek Mall, waited for an hour, and my computer was fixed, no charge. I realize Happy Mac has great Unilocal reviews and that’s why I went there in the first place, so I’m not sure what happened…

I brought in a 2009 MacBook to have the trackpad replaced and some missing keys restored. I was told my mac would be ready in two business days.
Over the next two weeks I called back repeatedly asking for updates. Instead of apologizing for the delay the woman answering the phone was rude and abrupt, telling me they’d call when it’s ready without explaining why the original time estimate was incorrect.
Finally, after two weeks, they said it was ready. At checkout I asked to test the device and discovered the new trackpad to be defective.
Everything about Happy Mac is slovenly and unprofessional. Please find another place to get your Mac serviced.

Well, this is a weird review. It’s one of those… «know before you go, but still go» reviews. I dropped off my BF’s computer one day while he was out of town. There were weird green lines on it and we feared the worst. Turns out, the worst is probably true per the dudes at Happy Mac.
This is where it gets weird: they’re not actually doing anything to the computer as it’s a logic board problem (firmly in the domain of the genius bar) so I can’t rate them on whether they fixed the problem. They did however, diagnose it, advise me that there might be a recall on the graphics card and send me home without charging me. See what I mean? Weird. But great.
The know before you go:
– This is not a row of grinning 20 somethings with the same color shirt on who exude sunshine. These guys are legit «I’ve been working on computers for 20 years. Tell me the problem and let me work some magic.»
– Their office is messy as hell. Like me on laundry day. There are computer bits and boxes strewn about. I am of the firm belief that a cluttered house means a clever mind.
– Someone either smokes in there now or used to smoke. It’s really stale. If you’re allergic, maybe send someone else in.
– You’ll kind of have to stalk them for updates. They’re totally cool about it but the impression I get is that they’re deep in the diagnostics and resurface only when you call.
All of these things are endearing, rather than the alternative, when you have a good experience.
** Edit/​update: When I went to pick up my computer, the store was closed. Turns out, they don’t open until 11. I went back after 11 — still closed. Then I called — and there is no voicemail, just a weird remote access message. Later that day, I finally I got someone on the phone and was able to get my computer. The store opener hadn’t showed up apparently. If I was in dire need of my computer, I’d be pretty unhappy. Again, this is not the place to go if you’re on a tight deadline or want hand-​holding service **

I recently spilled water on the keyboard of my macbook pro. I took it in to another place, and they told me that it was beyond repair, and that it would cost more that it is worth to fix. I felt like I would see what Happy Mac could do, why not, and what do you know, they got it working again!!! And it only cost me 125 bucks! I will never take my macs anywhere else again.
I couldn’t be any happier! Great place! Go here!

When you’ve got your precious, spendy work computer in for service for 5 days with no word on what’s going on, you shouldn’t be hung up on for trying to call for an update.
I called last Thursday and was told to bring my laptop on in, their workload was «very light» at the moment so it was a great time. I was supposed to get a call Monday or Tuesday. I was quoted $ 250 to replace a keyboard.
I called five days later on Tuesday to see what was going on. Here’s the first call:
HM: Happy Mac.
Me: Hi, I was calling to get a status on my computer.
HM: If you haven’t gotten a call, we haven’t diagnosed it. Our work load is very heavy right now. We’ve been slammed with school starting.
Me: When we dropped it off last week –
HM: That’s all I can tell you. *click*
Oh, no you didn’t. Ain’t nobody got time for that.
My followup call:
HM: Happy Mac.
Me: I need to get my computer out of there. Will you find out if it is in one piece, or many?
HM: Oh. Yeah. Josh was going to call you this afternoon about that. Your hard drive is bad, and possibly your keyboard.
Me: I brought that computer in because the keyboard was bad. The hard drive was fine. DO NOT TOUCH MY HARD DRIVE.
HM: Well, it will fail on you someday.
Me: Look, just have my computer ready to go. You hung up on me earlier, and I don’t do business with people who don’t listen to me.
HM: Well, I thought you understood we were busy.
Me: Sure, I did –
HM: *interrupts*
Me: You’re doing it again. Just have my computer ready.
HM: Fine. *click*
About the hard drive. They claimed my SMART status was «at 48%.» I had run a SMART check and drive repair on it last week and it passed with flying colors. But she said this one was going to fail… «someday.»
We’re ALL going to DIE someday. If you ran a SMART status on my poor, middle-​aged body, it would be less than optimal. That doesn’t mean I should go out and be cryogenically frozen.
The icing on the cake? This afternoon we took the machine to another place, who replaced the keyboard in 45 minutes, while we waited, and charged $ 125. I’m typing this on my brand new keyboard. Tappity tap tap.

Enter Idiot (me) stage left.
Me: Computer no work. (Grunt) No Time Machine.
Them: Well, I don’t have good news, there is a major software problem and we’ll have to go in and sort it out file by file. I’ve never seen it this bad. It may not make it.
Me: (blank stare) (blink, blink)
Them: Full on Amazing Description of what’s the matter and how we’re going to fix it.
Me: (moan) (scratch) (small tear)
Them: [Hours and Hours and Hours of work. More hours and Hours and Hours of work. A few more hours and hours and hours of work.] That will only be $ 100.
Me: For real? You saved me and my business! Hooray!
And scene.

Found Happy Mac on Unilocal and decided to give them a shot.
My 2006 – 2007 MacBook Pro randomly decided that half the keyboard would short out and stop working. I was also coasting on a useless battery. E-​mailed Happy Mac, they quoted me $ 75 for a new topcase for the keyboard/​track pad area and would see if they had a decent used battery to sell me (they don’t carry brand new parts). Great!
Dropped my computer off on Thursday around noon. Was told it would be fixed later that afternoon, but I said I’d come back Friday so as not to fight crazy traffic. Called Friday at noon, computer still hadn’t been worked on but they said it’d be ready in about an hour and they’d call me.
More than an hour later I called to check back (I was pestering because I didn’t want to fight crazy traffic getting home) and they apologized, said they’d been busy with walk-in’s, but I could pick it up in about 30 minutes.
Pricing was as they had described, they said everything was in good shape. The topcase was much nicer than my old one minus a chip on the left corner but I don’t really care about that. They said they found a battery for me in good shape as well for $ 10 too. Yay!
Got my computer home, booted up, battery died in about 7 minutes. Much worse than my old, malfunctioning battery. E-​mailed them about it and they said if I brought it back they’d swap it out, but I didn’t have time to drive back up north. Asked for the charge to be refunded. They said they usually charge a fee to refund to the card but I got them to waive it.
Wound up ordering a new battery online that works perfectly.
They repaired what needed fixing and seemed up front about everything, but the overall experience was plus/​minus.

They do charge a fee to repair your Mac as opposed to the Apple store that doesn’t. I don’t care if they charge me a fee. I rather come here than deal with going to the Apple store where I made an appointment and I still had to wait 20 minutes for someone to help me. Of course going into Apple store the salespeople gave me a look of «Why do you still have this old laptop? Why don’t you get the newer models? It’s only $ 2,000!»
Happy Mac does not pull that attitude on you. If anything they are glad to repair your laptop. Their store is not glamorous like the Apple store. There are old computers lying around the place, a small sitting area and dim lighting. I had to loan them my laptop for 3 days.
I rather go to them and have them repair my laptop. Obviously they did an awesome job with it. When you pick your laptop up, the manager goes over with you what he has done and offers helpful suggestions to maintain it.
The downside of going to the Apple store is they don’t carry the parts for an older model laptop. That was another reason for coming here. I do recommend coming to Happy Mac. You will become a Happy Person.

The Good:
: it’s a local business!
: location. it’s really easy to find and get to
: plenty of parking. i’ve never had an issue parking while i’m there.
: service. they may not be the friendliest but they get stuff done and they are EXTREMELY accommodating. one time i had to have something done to my computer before a work trip and they expedited my work order so i could have it on time, without me even having to ask, when they found out i was going to travel and need it. they also try to give you good deals on things like memory, batteries, etc. i’ve had good deals cut on more RAM and batteries when my older system was in need of it.
The Bad:
: the place can reek really really really really strongly of stale cigarette smoke. i mean pukingly strong. i wish they would go to town with some Costco-​sized bottles of Febreeze in there. it’s kind of gross. ok it’s really f’ing disgusting.
: i’m not a fan of how they don’t ask you to write down your password and instead ask you out loud while others are standing there. good standard practice would be to give you a slip of paper for your work order and have you write down the password if needed.
The Ugly:
: none
Would I go back? Definitely!!! These people do a great job and I trust them with my hardware.
This place is IN.