Chicago North Shore Mac and PC LLC formerly Lapin — Local services in Evanston Township

I have never written a review in my life about anything. This is how strongly I feel about my negative experience. This place is good for SIMPLE problems that is easily fixed. However, they are horrible at complex problems that take more than “diagnostic tests” or the typical “fresh MACos reinstall.” Anyone can do data transfers, screen cracks, etc. Thats not impressive. When the problem cannot easily be found in a textbook, they are horrendous.

My experience: I spilled coffee on my computer. All Apple stores are closed due to COVID 19- I have to go here. They told me that it will be covered under my Apple care + insurance that I have but subject to $300 deductible- no biggie. That’s the policy of Apple.

They sent the laptop out to the depot to get it fixed. Apple “fixes” it and sends it back to them. The computer passes all there superficial tests. I get the computer back. The computer has a white screen when installing updates, kernel panics (restarts) after it has been a sleep for a longer period of time, and runs incredibly hot. I bring it back to them a second time (mind you I live 1.5 hour away!!!!). They take it back and say they’ll look at it again. A WEEK has gone by with no call back. I eventually call back to them saying the computer is fine and passed all their tests..... so why couldn’t you have called me back earlier?? I understand the virus is increasing the workload... but a simple call?? I get the computer back and the problem STILL PERSISTS. The person on the phone literally tells me they find no reason to send it back to Apple despite the problem being there. Now I’m left with a problematic computer. Person also tells me that they ensure there’s no hardware problem.. well guess what. I did another fresh Mac OS reinstall and erased my hard drive... STILL SAME PROBLEMS. Also let’s use logic: if this problem never happened pre coffee spill, and the only thing that changed was hardware damage, then it must be hardware and not software. THUS, there is IN FACT reason to send back to Apple. They did not care cause they got their $300. Now I’m stuck with a problematic computer with no where to go until Apple...

All the credit goes to Technician Amanda Seibert at Lapin in Evanston. Because of the current state of affairs with the pandemic, and Apple stores and shops closed everywhere for the foreseeable future- all of this adds up to the perfect storm on how to proceed for guidance and help, especially to have your laptop breakdown during all of this, and you are left alone suffering with laptop panic attacks. It took a couple of hours of diligently searching to find the right shop, a reputable person to help and calm down nerves on the other end of the phone, and hoping to get to results in a timely fashion (if that is even possible). Lo and behold- I can't be happier and more than satisfied on all counts. I highly highly recommend Amanda to help and fix anything of tech you may have, especially apple products. I will definitely come to her and Lapin in Evanston IL for any future breakdowns (which inevitably happen), let alone guidance on replacing tech related products or upgrades. Yes- Amanda is that good, kid you not. Bobby Talamine -...

I took my 2013 Macbook Pro Retina this morning after the fan started making really loud whirring noises last night. The fan sounded like it had run the course of its life. The Genius Bar was completely backed up with no appointments, so I made the quick run up to Evanston to have the computer looked at. Initially, they thought it might be 2-3 days to fix it, but I said I had some important work on a deadline. They were able to diagnose and fix the computer within 30 minutes. I'm still so impressed they could get me up and running again so quickly! Absolutely excellent service, and super nice people working there. It's a cute shop not far off the purple line with lots of great artwork, and they'll have my...