Area Computer & Service Center

Jonathan is very knowledgeable and honest! This was the 3^rd laptop I was bringing to him in several years. I have been going to him since 2007. He will give you an honest and educated evaluation.
If there is any problems take it to him first. I bring all my computer problems to him.

I love this place!!! Inexpensive and they do good work. A cluttered shop, reminiscent of the small town «Mr. Fixit».
handyman/​general rewith lots of old parts for cannibalization, (old is cheaper than new).

Jonathan may or may not know what he’s doing, but when I showed up at 10:30 on a Saturday, per his listed hours, the shop was not open. Fine. I called the number listed and he said that he’d be open at 12:30. At 12:35 I arrive and the shop is still closed and he didn’t answer his phone when I called at 12:45. This is the epitome of poor customer service and fully deserves the lowest possible rating.

Jonathan definitely knows what he’s doing and is extremely fair. He’s my go-​to for any computer question or concern. He doesn’t mind sharing info and explaining things. And he will let you know if a machine is worth salvaging or not. The only caution would be to take notes while he’s explaining things. He talks fast and sometimes changes prices later. I think he honestly forgets because he’s going fast and multi-​tasking. He always gives the best deal though so I don’t hold it against him. I have worked with many other tech people and been ripped off enough times to know that this is an unbeatable value.

I would agree with Glen and his response to first time reviewer. Obtaining any original replacement part for a budget price is not the way to review a repair shop. Any such part on it’s own will cost more.
Jonathan’s personable service is unparalleled. And this shop represents a rare and dying breed of truly unique independent repair shops. Jonathan’s work over the years has made him both very insightful and also a true asset to our local East Bay community. He’s the person to go to first to see if keeping your old equipment is worth it and how one might go about obtaining a replacement inexpensively. He’s a very caring individual. Not everyone requires this or values this. I personally think Jonathan’s work is a boon to my life in the East Bay. I consider him indispensable.

Cluttered. Um, yes.
Took time to search for a part — about one minute.
Saved my old hard drive, transferred all the data and programs to a new hard drive and my laptop up and working again? Yup. Took about an hour and a half and he fixed a few other computers in the meantime while data was transfering etc.
Nice guy, good prices.
Oh yeah. He did this Saturday afternoon. He said he usually closes early on Saturday afternoons but he did this rush job for me.

I have an IT background but when I need help with data recovery Area Computer saves me a lot of time and headache. Jonathan has recovered data I thought was lost forever and has helped me rebuild trashed systems. Service, communication, price, professionalism are all outstanding — would recommend to anyone.

I could not be more happy with the excellent customer service I received!
First: I tried to get my laptop fixed somewhere else while I was out of town over the holidays — but it turned out to be a fiasco of shipping delays and terrible customer service. THEN: I went to Area Computer. Seriously, I went in right at 12:30 when they opened, he told me he would do a diagnostic and give me a call. By 4:00 my phone rang. He had done the diagnostic, had the part I needed in stock, he gave me an estimate, and I gave him the green light. By 7:00 pm it was DONE! It took him 7 hours to do what the other place couldn’t seem to get done in over a month! The price was great too!
I am a very happy customer and Area Computer will most definitely be the first place I go with any future computer needs.

I had a totally different feel for this place. I NEEDED to get my computer fixed, fast, and the power stopped working. Jonathan carried it from my car, since I’m pregnant and can’t lift heavy objects now. He looked at it, we discussed the situation and he quoted me $ 40 for the new power supply plus 45 labor, but then totaled it at $ 75. An HOUR later, he called, when he knew I’d be down the street again, and I picked up my working computer. Fabulous! I then asked him another question about a sound problem I was having, he spent more time with me and the machine, on the spot, and fixed that too. I offered more $ since he’s spent more time, and ended up paying him the originally quoted $ 85. He loaded the computer back in the car, and I couldn’t believe everything was perfect in less than 1.5 hours. So the place is cluttered– who cares– I wasn’t looking for a fine dining experience or the W hotel, I was looking to get my computer fixed fast! Mission accomplished!

I needed a small part… An adapter from the hard drive to the mother board.
I called Area Computer & Service Center and he said come on down.
Well…After searching all over this really dim lite shop of cluttered and broken computers we found nothing.
Five minutes after driving away I get a call saying he found the part. I went back and sure enough he had the part… I said how much… He said $ 30.I laughed AND he did not… REALLY it cost me $ 30 for this part.
I was desperate and he took advantage.
I will not go back to this place… Ever.
I dont like giving bad reviews but this way of doing business sucks.