Up North Computers Inc. — Local services in Fairbanks

I really wanted to be happy with this company. I even told the tech that when I was on the phone with my current issue - but I was so poorly treated I feel the need to post a review. They seemed to do a great job when I brought in my computer for repair - great communication, quick service, seemed knowledgeable. The repair cost was four hundred and eighty dollars to replace the keyboard/touchpad and battery. I was willing to just take it in stride when I had to bring the computer back four days after I picked it up because the camera wasn't working. They did fix that and told me they didn't hook up one of the connectors. I was also going to take it in stride when the new battery they put in held less charge than my old battery. But, after my call yesterday, I feel folks might need to know not all is great at this company. It was so bad I even imagined the person who answered the phone got chewed out for transferring me to a technician when I asked to speak to one. She transferred me to the tech who originally serviced my computer. The story is that, after four months, my keyboard is going out again - you will notice I'm not using any of the top row keys. This is the EXACT same problem that brought me to Up North Computers. At that time, I asked them if it was worth repairing as the computer is a few years old and they said, oh yes, its a great little machine. So, when I called yesterday, I wanted to ask about how I could be having the EXACT same problem with a new keyboard and would it maybe be something else wrong with the computer and should I bite the bullet and get a new one? Well, I didn't get to have an answer to that question. The tech, maybe his name was Steve?, was grouchy from the outset and told me to bring the computer in to have it checked as it had been four months and they only do free recheck in thirty days and warranty for so many more, which I was out of. I tried to explain I just wanted to know if a new keyboard, like they put in, should have a longer life expectancy than four months and get his advice on whether to waste the time on it at this point? But he told me I'd better listen to him, after cutting me off before I could finish my question, and said that they don't do work over the phone, I have to bring it in, and that I just expect him to "have a magic wand" and tell me what's wrong with my computer. Of course I did not expect a magic wand but I did expect a respectful conversation from a computer specialist on why the early failure and a future recommended course of action - bring it in or get a new computer. I thought maybe he is just having a bad day and waited for a call back/apology...

Hello,

My custom tower was repaired by Up North Computers a few months ago and after using it for that period of time I would like to talk about my experience with them and their repair of my computer.

I will start by saying that I had no idea these guys existed. I needed their services because I built a custom tower, which I have done a few times before, but this time was different. I completed the build and started it up, and updated all my drivers and my bios and everything in between. The computer ran well, at first. All of a sudden the computer would windows blue screen and restart itself and then continue to restart over and over. I tried fixing it myself and researching it for a while. I even took the tower completely apart and put it back together but nothing seemed to change. Unfortunately, I didn’t know of any computer repair shops in town and a google search at the time was not helpful either. So I waited for two years before I accidentally found them. When I contacted them they were extremely kind and professional and said they would love to see my custom PC in the shop. After I took it to them they worked on it for about two days before calling me with the fix. They even suggested some upgrades they could do in the shop that would make my PC run faster and perform better. One of those items is their annual cleaning service, where they update practically everything on the PC and clean the whole computer. I readily agreed, and a few days later went to pick up my PC. I will say that it looked immaculate, just like the day I built it. They even sat down with me and explained everything they updated, which is a perk of their annual cleaning service. The PC runs better than it ever has and I use it every single day.

All that said, if you have a computer issue, or just want to have your PC running way better than it ever did. Then you need to take your computer to these folks. I will forever use them, and recommend them to anyone. They made a life long customer and I am more than happy to give them all my business.

Thank you so much Up North Computers!...

Community minded business: I went in as my last hope of getting my Nintendo Switch fixed. The micro SD card reader wasn’t reading and if they couldn’t help me then I was going to have to just buy the tools on Amazon and do it myself. I was prepared to be disappointed since Up North Computers is a computer repair shop and does not advertise any gaming console repair. And I was correct, at first they let me know that that wasn’t their wheel house and weren’t comfortable fixing something that they weren’t familiar with. Also they don’t do any soldering work. I told them it was totally okay and that I understand and luckily there was no need to solder, just needed the custom screw driver and re-plug the cord that got dislodged inside. The tech that was working with me asked if I had the device with me and I did so I took it out and he took a look. He came back with his personal set of tools and said that if I wanted to use the tools and do the repair myself, I could and that way they are not liable for any damage. He set me up with everything I needed and was great company while I was working. The repair took hardly any time at all and the card reader worked perfectly when I was done.

TLDR: Up North Computers will go above and beyond to help solve your computer problems and I think it is a service that has been greatly lacking in...