Discount Computers — Attraction in Medford

The laptop I purchased was fine, but there needs to be full disclosure on the condition of the product at the time of sale. The battery wasn't charged so I could verify operation at the store. I purchased it anyway. In hindsight, based on the conditions I discovered I question if the laptop was worth what I paid for it. The OS updates had been disabled, so Windows had not been patched with critical updates in over 4-years. OS DVD software was non-functional. I returned the laptop and 3rd party software was installed and associated with the DVD player. After running the critical updates, the OS started throwing errors and became non-functional. I went into the office to share my experience and there was a lady there who told me that I should never run windows updates because it slows down the computer. I pointed out that not running critical updates also opens up yourself to malware and cyber attacks. That response was met with a shrug. I was also told that I shouldn't carry around my laptop while it is on for risk of losing my data. I'm not a computer genius, but I have been working on my own systems for years and this exchange didn't sit well. I gave up on getting further assistance and ended up purchasing and installing new OS software myself. Now EVERYTHING is working fine.

I think this is a good place, and Rob seems like an honest, good guy, but I did not have a good experience and I think that there is room for improvement. I recommend you ask lots of questions and request a test drive before you commit to buying.

———————-response to Owner, June 2025—————-

“Windows Updates do not protect you from malware, viruses or cyber attacks nor are they critical to a well functioning computer.”

That statement is incorrect. Windows updates are crucial for protecting your computer from malware, viruses, and cyberattacks and for ensuring a well-functioning system. Here's why: Security Updates: A primary purpose of Windows updates is to address security vulnerabilities and patch flaws that hackers can exploit to gain unauthorized access to your system. By installing these updates, you reduce the risk of malware infections, data breaches, and other cyber threats. Bug Fixes: Updates often include bug fixes that improve system stability and performance. This helps prevent system crashes, slowdowns, and other issues that can disrupt your work. Performance Enhancements: Windows updates may also include improvements that enhance the overall performance and speed of your computer. Compatibility: Updates can ensure compatibility with new software and hardware, preventing potential conflicts and allowing your system to run smoothly with the latest applications and devices. New Features: Sometimes, updates also introduce new features and functionalities that enhance your user experience. Neglecting Windows updates can leave your system vulnerable to: Increased exposure to cyber threats:Without the latest security patches, your computer becomes an easier target for malware, ransomware, and other malicious attacks. Loss of data: Cyberattacks can lead to data breaches and the theft of sensitive information. System instability and performance issues: Missing out on bug fixes and performance improvements can lead to system crashes, slowdowns, and other problems. Non-compliance with security standards: In some industries, failing to update your operating system can lead to violations of data protection regulations and potential legal consequences. In summary, Windows updates are a critical component of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy and maintaining a healthy...

I had the worst experience ever with this business. My laptop recently stopped charging properly so I took it to them on the 21st of oct. Walker the guy who works there said he could look at it and call me that day which he did he said they would need to order a new part and it would be done by wed at the latest, I did not hear from him all that week so when the next week rolled around I had to call and I left a message on the 30th and he called back to inform me he got too busy and had not started to work on my laptop yet. I said I really do need it because it is crucial to my business he said I would have it by the 1st of nov. When Friday the first rolled around he called to let me know that he just realized that the part he ordered was the wrong one so they were going to get a new part shipped over night which didn't really matter seeing as they are closed on the weekends so he said it would be done Monday the 4th I didn't hear anything all week so I decided to call on Friday the 8th of course no one answered so I left a message at 1pm. I never got a call back so I called 2 more times finally the guy that works there Walker answered at 430 and told me that sadly they were unable to repair my computer and I would have to contact asus to have them repair it for me. I asked why I was not contacted about this and he told me that he had called Wednesday and left me a message I said I didn't get a call or a message from him. He said luckily all that we lost was time which was very upsetting seeing as I need my computer to do my work and it went from taking less then a week to taking 18 days to get my computer back and it was not even fixed. He told me I could pick it up before they closed but I had just gotten to work, I asked if my husband could do it but he would be a few minutes after 5pm to get there because he was coming all the way across town, walker told me he could only stay til 5:10 or else I would have to get it Monday or call on the weekend and hope someone was there so I could pick it up. I said had they of called me back after I left a message that day or picked up one of the times I called I would of been in to pick it up. he said oh well I must have missed your message. I honestly can't believe this place has been in business since 1999 with the way they treat customers and take forever to contact the customer.

I would NEVER recommend this business to anyone or would I ever use them again. It took way too long to hear from them and they told me they couldn't fix my computer after having it for 18 days. I would think after they first took it apart they would know if they could fix it, not finally telling me 18 days later. My Husband brought it back home and It was fixed that night by him all that needed to be done was solder a few spots for my...

I recently brought my laptop to Discount Computers to have a new hard drive installed after mine failed. Unfortunately, my experience was disappointing. Without asking for my permission, the owner installed an older version of Windows 10 and locked Microsoft updates. A third-party antivirus was also installed, which repeatedly flagged supposed “viruses.” I was also now unable to download my previous applications needed for medical school.

When I called to report these issues, I was told by the women that answered the phone that it's because they had intentionally blocked Microsoft updates and that I could bring the laptop back in. When I returned, the owner said he didn't know what was the cause of my computer issues. He said he didn't know what the issue was and i would need to leave my computer but he wasn’t able to tell me how much it would cost to fix the issue they had created.

I chose to seek help from a different computer technician, who confirmed the problem was caused by blocking Microsoft and installing an old version of Windows 10. They restored my system properly.

I respect that the owner may have personal opinions or beliefs about Microsoft, but that should never override what a paying customer wants or needs for their device. Customers should be informed and given a choice before major software changes are made.

Update / Response to Owner:

Your response did not include all of the facts, so I am clarifying for accuracy. I was not upset about the hard drive being replaced. The issue was the unauthorized changes made to my computer afterward.

*My computer originally had Windows 11, and I did not request or authorize it to be downgraded to Windows 10. *You also installed a virus scanner that repeatedly showed false virus alerts, and you blocked Microsoft, which prevented me from downloading required programs for school. *When I returned with these new problems (which were a result of the changes you made), I asked what the cost would be and you stated “ It depends on what’s wrong with it.” At no point did you tell me the fix would be free. My original hard drive that broke was not filled up as you mentioned. I had only used about a 1/4 of my storage. *A separate technician later restored Windows 11, removed the block on Microsoft, and corrected the issues that were created by those unauthorized changes.

Good business practice includes confirming customer preferences before making major changes to their device. If I had been asked, I would have told you to keep Windows 11. The original problem was simply a failing hard drive. The additional problems were caused by the unauthorized installation of Windows 10 and blocking Microsoft services, which were not part of the...