If you’ve ever stared longingly at your smart devices and wished they would respond when you’re doing your best Capt. Jean-Luc Picard impression, we’ve got some good news for you: Amazon has added “computer” to its list of words that will wake up its digital assistant Alexa on Echo devices. [More]
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$50 Device Could Hack Countless Computers
By 9.8.16
We’ve probably all done it in the past: left our computer open, but locked, thinking no one would be able to gain access. But security researchers say we shouldn’t feel so confident about the security of our data, especially now that there’s an inexpensive device that can snatch login credentials from locked computers in a matter of seconds. [More]
Microsoft Store Can’t Exchange A Defective Computer Properly, Sends Me Wrong Refund
By 1.21.13
Albert wrote to us about his problems with his Cyber Monday purchase from the Microsoft Store. No, we haven’t been sitting on his message for almost two months: he’s been struggling with Microsoft for that long, trying to get this transaction to make sense. One important thing that he learned: just because he’s lucky enough to live relatively near a Microsoft Store, that doesn’t mean it will do him any good. [More]
AppleCare Takes A Bite Out Of Customer's Data-Recovery Dreams
By 8.18.09
While our pal Carey had a great time with AppleCare, David isn’t smiling after helping his girlfriend fix her Macbook through the service.
Beyond Solitaire And Minesweeper: A Flood Of Free Games
By 5.18.09
What the fat cats don’t want you to know as they charge you $50 for computer games is that the Internets are aswarm with freebies.
Whatever Acer Is Doing To Your Laptop Is The Opposite Of Repairing It
By 8.13.08
Reader Alex bought an Acer laptop with a 3 year extended warranty, and honestly, we lost count of how many times he’s sent it in to Acer for repairs — but every time Acer sends it back it seems to get a little bit less functional. Now he’s finally had enough and is demanding a replacement. This has lead to a 5 month stand-off in which Acer is refusing to send him a replacement because it would be a “downgrade” from his current broken laptop. Alex has already replaced the laptop and was going to give up. We’re his last hope…
When "FireDogs" And "Geeks" Don't Know What's Wrong, You Pay
By 2.25.08
Channel 10 out of Columbus, Ohio recently conducted a sting operation in which they equipped themselves with an easily repaired laptop and took it to Geek Squad, FireDog and Micro Center to see who could figure out what was wrong.
Best Buy Charges You $29 For A Restoration Disc You Don't Need
By 10.25.07
Best Buy has recently come under fire for selling people “restoration cds” at the ridiculous price of $29 dollars. PC World caught 3 of 5 Best Buy salespeople insisting that consumers couldn’t make the recovery discs themselves and would either need to buy them from Best Buy or the manufacturer (for more than Best Buy charges.) This just simply isn’t true.
Dell Arbitrarily Decides Your 2008 Warranty Ends In 2007
By 10.3.07
Dell has decided that Saundra’s warranty, which ends in 2008, ends in 2007, and won’t repair her motherboard for free. Saundra has informed them of the error and sent them the relevant documents, to which Dell has shrugged. Saundra has now decided to sue Dell in small claims court. Which mall kiosk which she deliver the court papers to? Who knows, there’s got to be thousands of them around the nation… Her story follows.
Where's That Geek Squad Sting Operation Video Already?
By 7.4.07
It’s coming so very soon. Technology, the politics of delegation, in-vain attempts at perfection, all these slowed what we thought was gonna be a lot quicker. Sorry for the delay, we know some of you’ve been antsy. Bear with us!
Ben On WYPR Talking About Computer Repair Options
By 4.24.07
We were once again on NPR affiliate stations WYPR and WYPF for Mario’s Digital Cafe, discussing computer repair options. Some people are going to take us to task for recommending Zone Alarm, but it is a pretty good option, when the virus scanner is turned on, especially for a beginning to intermediate user.
