Help fix my friend's Mac

November 15, 2006 5:28 PM

Help me find a great place to get a Mac repaired in a few select cities in South or North Carolina.

I'm posting this for a friend who is trying to find a friendly, competent place to get a Mac (Powermac G4 tower, specifically the DVD drive) repaired in any of the following cities:

Columbia, SC
Charleston, SC
Asheville, NC (piggybacked on the Joanna Newsom concert)

It's always a bit tricky with Mac repairs. Recommendations? Places to avoid? Her DVD drive is broken and I think her system could use a good once over, hardware wise (exceedingly loud fan, etc). She's not the most computer minded person but wants to get this taken care of.

Thanks.

posted by nathancaswell to computers & internet (7 comments total)

I have used the apple store locater but was hoping the hive could narrow down the options a little.
posted by nathancaswell at 5:37 PM on November 15, 2006

I have a Powermac G4, and honestly swapping the DVD drive, and replacing a few system fans is something that any somewhat competent repair place can fix. I replaced the harddrive and system fans in my system in 20 minutes, and had have never touched a Macintosh in my life.

Mac DVD drives are the same as PC DVD drives, and the installation is the same.
posted by SirStan at 6:12 PM on November 15, 2006

I have heard that Charlotte Street Computers in Asheville are pretty good, but I have no Mac and absolutely no personal knowledge, so YMMV.
posted by mygothlaundry at 7:01 PM on November 15, 2006

Your friend's computer is likely out of warranty, but if her trip to Asheville will take her through or near Charlotte, she might consider a stop at the Apple store at Southpark Mall. There are three apple stores in NC (Raleigh, Durham, and Charlotte) and none in SC.

That being said, a DVD drive replacement is fairly easy and she could probably find a neighbor kid to change it for her for a few bucks. It's what they do now rather than mow lawns.
posted by aristan at 10:17 PM on November 15, 2006

There's a macentric computer repair store in Columbia, specifically over on Garner's Ferry before it hits I-77. Mac iLand.
posted by Plinko at 1:55 AM on November 16, 2006

if you have Any interest in saving money and doing it yourself and feeling cool... buy the parts at pricewatch.com, and learn how to do it step by step at this site

scroll down and view the pdf for optical drive installation
posted by localhuman at 6:16 AM on November 16, 2006

Mac iLand in Columbia is currently not accepting computers for repair due to having been bought out by another company. FYI. And personally, I haven't been terribly impressed with them, I agree with those who say a local mac geek could help them, it sounds like a basic tune-up.
posted by 1f2frfbf at 7:01 AM on November 16, 2006