In Home Computer Repair in Montclair, NJ

Most appointments are available within 48 hours of your request. Same day service is often possible when a technician is available.

Yes, after hours and emergency service is available if we have a technician willing and able to assist on short notice.

We’ll need you to be home to let in the technician, answer questions, provide information and feedback, and to pay at the end of the appointment, but brief absences (such as to walk the dog, or pick the kids up from school) won’t be an issue.

Emergency repairs can often be handled same day if a technician is available. We'll make every effort to assist as quickly as possible.

Essex County

• Belleville

• Bloomfield

• Caldwell

• Cedar Grove

• Essex Fells

• Fairfield

• Glen Ridge

• Halcyon Park

• Irvington

• Livingston

• Maplewood

• Millburn

• Montclair

• North Caldwell

• Nutley

• Roseland

• Upper Montclair

• Verona

• West Caldwell

• West Orange

Bergen County

• Allendale

• Alpine

• Bergenfield

• Bogota

• Carlstadt

• Cliffside Park

• Closter

• Cresskill

• Demarest

• Dumont

• East Rutherford

• Edgewater

• Elmwood Park

• Emerson

• Englewood

• Englewood Cliffs

• Fair Lawn

• Fairview

• Fort Lee

• Franklin Lakes

• Garfield

• Glen Rock

• Hackensack

• Harrington Park

• Hasbrouck Heights

• Haworth

• Hillsdale

• Ho-Ho-Kus

• Kingsland

• Leonia

• Little Ferry

• Lodi

• Lyndhurst

• Mahwah

• Maywood

• Midland Park

• Montvale

• Moonachie

• New Milford

• North Arlington

• Northvale

• Norwood

• Oakland

• Old Tappan

• Oradell

• Palisades Park

• Paramus

• Park Ridge

• Ramsey

• Ridgefield

• Ridgefield Park

• Ridgewood

• River Edge

• River Vale

• Rochelle Park

• Rockleigh

• Rutherford

• Saddle Brook

• Saddle River

• South Hackensack

• Teaneck

• Tenafly

• Teterboro

• Upper Saddle River

• Waldwick

• Wallington

• Washington Township

• Westwood

• Woodcliff Lake

• Wood-Ridge

• Wyckoff

At the client’s request, or for computer repairs that will require many hours to complete, we do offer pick up and delivery service. However, because this requires two separate visits, there is a 1 hour minimum fee for both the pick up and delivery.

Our rate is $125 per hour, with a 1 hour minimum. Time is rounded to the nearest quarter hour after the first hour.

We accept cash, checks, and all major credit and debit cards.

Most repairs are completed within the first hour, and very few exceed two hours, so our average cost for computer repair in home is between $125-$250, depending on the scope of work.

Most in home computer repairs are completed within the first hour, but this largely depends on the work to be performed. If time or cost is a concern, a computer technician will be happy to provide free phone consultation to estimate the time required for your specific project.

Our technicians guarantee their labor for 90 days after the repair is completed. If the same issue reoccurs within 90 days through no fault of the customer, we will address it promptly at no additional labor cost.

We service all brands of computers, including (but not limited to): Dell, HP, Lenovo, Apple (Mac), ASUS, Acer, Microsoft Surface, Toshiba and MSI.

Yes, we repair and support all Apple brand computers and Mac devices including Macbook, Macbook Pro, iMac, Mac Mini, and more.

We provide software support, training, and troubleshooting for smartphones and tablets, but do not physically repair screens or hardware.

We can set up printers, troubleshoot connectivity and software issues, and provide training. We do not do physical printer repairs.

We do not repair game consoles, but can provide initial setup assistance if needed.

Yes, we can recover deleted files and data from computers and mobile devices - even broken or non-functioning computers, provided there is no physical damage to the drive itself.

For physically damaged drives, we partner with a leading data recovery firm that has a Class A clean room to recover data from physically damaged drives. This includes recovery from computers, tablets, phones, USB drives, RAID drives, SD cards and more.

Through our partnership, customers can take advantage of benefits like free shipping, a free quote listing recoverable files before payment, and discounted pricing. Customers pay our partner directly and receive the original invoice. We do not mark up their costs.

If you've lost data, we recommend immediately disconnecting the affected drive or device from its power source to prevent further data loss, and calling for a free phone consultation to answer any further questions you might have.

Our fee for new computer setup assistance is $125 per hour, with a typical setup taking 1-2 hours. This includes unboxing, physical setup, software installation, data transfer, and configuring settings.

Typical computer setup involves connecting peripherals, installing software like antivirus and Office, transferring data from old devices, connecting to networks and printers, optimizing settings, and configuring user accounts. Our technicians handle all these steps.

First decide on key criteria like screen size, operating system, processing power, storage space, and budget. We can provide consultation to help select the right computer for your needs and lifestyle.

There is no one "best" computer for everyone – the right choice depends on your budget, needs, and intended use case.

When shopping for a new home computer, here are some key factors to consider:

Base Specifications for Average Home User:

• Processor: Look for the latest generation Intel Core i5 or equivalent for a balance of performance and price.
• RAM: Aim for at least 8GB of RAM to ensure smooth multitasking.
• Storage: A minimum of 500GB SSD is recommended for fast boot times and responsive applications.

These specs will deliver good performance for things like web browsing, office work, streaming, and basic photo editing. Faster processors, more RAM, and bigger solid state drives may be required for more advanced uses.

Price Range Expectations:

• Laptop: Expect to spend between $500-$650.
• Desktop Tower: Typically ranges from $400-$600 (monitor may not be included).
• All-in-One: These generally cost between $800-$1200.

Important Features to Consider:

Consider which features are important to you based on your personal preferences and needs.

• Screen Size: Larger screens are better for visibility and multitasking, while smaller screens are more portable.
• Touch Screen: Useful for hands-on interaction, especially with Windows 10/11.
• Backlit Keyboard: Great for typing in low-light conditions.
• Dedicated Number Pad: Essential for those who frequently input numbers.
• Optical Drive: Consider if you plan to use CDs or DVDs.
• Glossy vs Matte Display: Matte reduces glare, while glossy may have more vibrant colors.
• Weight: Important if you plan to carry the device around.
• Webcam: Necessary for video calls.
• USB Ports: Look for multiple and various types (e.g., USB 3.0, USB-C) for connecting devices.
• Keyboard Depth and Feel: Test for comfort to avoid unnecessary fatigue during extended typing sessions.
• Keyboard Layout: Ensure it has a layout you find intuitive and user-friendly.
• Operating System: Choose between Windows, macOS, or Linux based on compatibility with your software needs. Don't overpay for Pro versions with features you won't use.
• Included Software: Be wary of unnecessary software bundles that can bloat the system.
• Warranties: Consider the value and necessity before purchasing extended warranties. Skip extended warranties and service plans which offer little benefit especially on inexpensive models.

Different Use Cases for Computers:

Those editing video/photos, gaming, or doing intensive multitasking may want upgrades like:

• Data Storage: If you plan to store lots of media (photos, music or videos), consider increasing SSD capacity.
• Graphics Intensive Tasks: You may want to upgrade to a model with a dedicated graphics card if you’ll be using the computer for graphically intense tasks like PC gaming, video editing, or graphic design.
• High-Performance Needs: Consider upgrading to an Intel Core i7 processor or equivalent for faster performance, or if you plan to multi-task with resource hungry software (photoshop, premiere, CAD). This processor upgrade should be paired with additional RAM as well – a minimum of 16 GB for best performance.

Additional Recommendations:

• Microsoft Office: Remember, MS Office is typically not included and may need to be purchased separately.
• Antivirus Software: Instead of default options like Norton or McAfee, consider alternatives like ESET for enhanced security.

For mainstream use, plan to replace your home computer every 4-6 years to maintain optimal performance. Faster replacement may be needed for gamers/power users. Look for slowdowns and outdated components as signs it's time.

Clues your computer is getting too old include slow performance, inability to update software/OS, insufficient storage/memory, outdated ports, and difficulty supporting peripherals. Frequent crashes or freezing can also indicate aging issues.

When replacing your home computer, consider selling or donating if it still works. If not working, remove and recycle any usable parts, then dispose of the rest responsibly to avoid environmental impact. Data should be securely wiped before disposal.

• For a mainstream, no-frills home laptop, a good price is $500-$700.
• For a similar desktop PC, look for $400-$600 (without a monitor).
• Similar All-in-one computers are available in the $800-$1200 range.

• In 2023, the average selling price for a Windows laptop is around $625.
• The average for a desktop is approximately $550 (without monitor).
• Apple computers carry a premium - average MacBook pricing is $1200 and iMacs around $1300.

For robust virus protection, we recommend budgeting $70-$80 per year per computer for ESET NOD32 Antivirus, which strikes a great balance of strong security and value.

Yes, third party antivirus like ESET provides essential protection lacking in built-in options like Windows Defender. The $70 annual investment enhances security and peace of mind.

We recommend adding ESET on top of Windows Defender for more complete malware protection, reduced system impact, and additional security features lacking in Defender.

Downsides of relying solely on Windows Defender include lower malware detection rates than paid antivirus, a bigger performance hit on system resources, and fewer useful extra features.

Windows 10 and 11 offer similar underlying security when fully updated. Use third party antivirus for optimal protection on either version. Windows 11 requires more stringent hardware.

Potential downsides of Windows 11 include higher system requirements, UI changes that frustrate some users, and compatibility issues with some older software and devices.

Windows 10 is generally seen as more stable and familiar for many, while Windows 11 has had some bugs but continues maturing with updates. Try both to choose your preferred.