Bill fixed my Laptop problem in a professional manner. Highly recommend and support a local business!!!

Terrible Customer Service. Bad at estimating time of repairs. My wife specifically requested that proprietor not spend more than one hour on a repair, proprietor spent over two hours on the repair and charged me the extra when I picked it up for her. He did not ask us before spending the extra time on the repair nor even warn us that the repair had taken extra time when he informed us the repair was complete. read more

Took my PC here for repairs several months ago and I am still dealing with the fallout. I was having trouble with my Windows crashing so I took it into Novato Computer Service, thinking it was a reputable local establishment. Boy was I wrong. First of all, the owner held onto my computer for over a month. Each week, he would call me telling me another component was fried and needed to be repaired. Fine, I thought, and gave him the benefit of the doubt. So over a month later, I brought home wad was basically a new computer with a $1,500 repair bill. Well, guess what? Windows continued to crash regularly. Even worse, he installed a bunch of extra programs I don't need and customized windows to the extent that I can't even install updates or repair it. In the end, I had to completely wipe my computer, reinstall windows and spend hours undoing the mess he created. Do not trust this place. There are other better and actually more affordable options. read more

I took my computer to Novato Computer sereral times for service, It worked some times, however, most times I had to return for a fix. Bill - the owner - always told my the problem was my fauld even though I did nothing but connect the computer. After several visit and much expenditures it dosen't work. In fact the last time (most recent) I followed his instuctions, connected the computer and nothing worked. I asked for my money back and again told "it was my fault" (nothing worked) rather then go into detail let's leave it at nothing worked. Stay away. Fortunatley I have a laptop read more

Got a glitch on my Zoom fixed and cleaned up my computer. Zoom problem fully fixed and my laptop is working way better overall.

I took my laptop in because at home it wouldn't boot up. When I put it on the counter and pressed the power button, it started up normally - so I "fixed" it myself. After a 25 min chat on computer-related stuff, the owner presented me with a bill for $67.50. If he told me at the beginning that he charged to talk to customers, I would have taken my business elsewhere. I paid and left. Will not return. read more

5 star service in not only repair but installation of protection programs. Including a much needed tutorial on how to stay updated too! Would return for the personalized service of this local business. read more

My wife recently passed away and I was unable to access her laptop computer. A friend suggested I bring it to Bill at Novato Computer Service. After explaining the problem to Bill, he took the computer, had me wait, and within 10 minutes, I was able to access it. He also mentioned that the battery needed replacement and, since it was running slow, a tune up was overdue. I authorized him to proceed with the repairs, which he completed in a couple of days. When I took delivery, he took the time to patiently explain what he had done and why, and showed me how to monitor the security features. The computer is now running perfectly. I found Bill to be very friendly and knowledgeable and a pleasure to deal with. I strongly recommend Novato Computer Service to anyone needing computer repair. read more

I was so upset and disappointed to be charged almost $600 in labor to repair what turned out to be a $20 component. I brought my laptop computer into Bill, because I was having trouble with the date/time function and couldn't log in to Zoom meetings. I paid the $150 diagnostic fee which was also to go towards repairs, and then he talked me into $150 of anti-virus software, cleaned my laptop and added other things to my computer that I didn't really need, but that I agreed to. Now i was in for $300. However when I got my laptop home, it still had the same problems as before. Nothing was fixed. I brought the laptop back several times, and each time Bill thought the computer was fixed but it wasn't. Finally he determined the problem was a malfunction in small coin sized battery, that cost about $20. However, when I came back 10 days later to pick up the computer, he charged me an additional $283 for his time. I was outraged. My computer was already 7 years old and was a rebuilt computer at that. Had I known in advance how much it would cost to fix the problem, there is no way I would have agreed to put almost $600 into such an old computer. My assumption was that since he had misdiagnosed the problem, that it was up to him to make good on his workmanship and I would pay for the parts. He had said it was an easy problem to fix, but when I returned, his argument was that he needed to take the entire computer apart to replace that battery. The date/time function now works correctly on my laptop, but the other features don't work properly. The Avast software he put in seems to cause numerous pop-up windows to open up, in ways that I can't seem to close or get rid of. In addition the background colors on my screens are different and I can barely read some of them. I'll never go back again. It would have been easier just to buy another computer. read more

I took my brand new Acer laptop to get a simple small screen tear fix. I had to wait a few weeks for the new screen to arrive and to take my laptop in which was fine. However, he told me that he accidentally ordered the wrong screen and charged me an extra $60 dollars to get the right one. That was fine, I just really wanted the screen fixed. I waited a couple more weeks and I finally got a call to pick it up, unfortunately SOMEHOW now my laptop wasn't able to turn on at all. He kept telling me that he worked so hard and had to add adhesives or something, but for whatever reason now it won't even charge or turn on. I didn't get a refund, I had to pay the entire service. He even offered to try and fix the battery problem for another $90 which I declined. After taking it in to another place to see if they could fix the problem they told me that he somehow messed with the motherboard and now it completely bricked. My only options was to either try and return it or buy an expensive motherboard for them to fix it. Not only that, but apparently the "new" screen is even more broken than before. I don't know what he did when all he had to do was replace a screen, but I would NOT recommend taking a expensive laptop here to get it fixed. Really disappointed. read more

I had a very good experience with Bill, the owner / operator of Novato Computer Service. He was able to repair my computer, explain what exactly was wrong with it, and charge a fair price. No nonsense, professional service! read more

I just moved to the neighborhood and in the interest of supporting local business I stopped in to simply ask the price of replacing a cracked screen and the employee up front apparently found it difficult to hold a phone in his hand while providing a 1-2 word answer to my very simple question. He took the time to tell me how he was too busy NOT talking to anyone on the phone! Yes he was ON HOLD! In the time he took to tell me all about how he just couldn't manage to help me...he could have helped me. Genius given the number of expensive electronics I keep serviced regularly! Back to Best Buy read more

My elderly mother got completely locked out of her laptop via the Bit Locker application, and I was unable to obtain a recovery key and get this issue fixed on my own. Bill remediated the issue, reinstalled Windows 10, updated numerous device drivers, and added new security programs -- in addition to making some additional improvements that would make the laptop easier to use for my mom. Not only did he solve the problem, but he went out of his way to do it in record time -- by the end of the day that I brought it in, and at a fair price given the time he spent. I was very impressed and grateful. I will be a repeat customer for sure and would recommend Novato Computer Service to anyone! read more

Bill is very knowledgeable and was very nice to work with on my job. He performed a transfer of information from an old laptop to the new one. He added features that I did not expect and explained the benefits of those upgrades. I will certainly return to him for any future work that might be needed. I strongly believe that everyone should support local businesses, now more than ever!!!! read more

Can I give 0 stars? If only the place looked like the picture of the inside of the store. It is a mess in real life. When I asked for my old laptop back the owner said "I think it's here somewhere", luckily it was found and I got it back. My entire experience was a nightmare. I paid labor to have my old hard drive backed up and the files installed on the "refurbished, in new condition" laptop I bought from this hole in the wall. It ended up being a Dell latitude manufactured prior to 2013. It did not support 5ghz WiFi, had no Bluetooth capability, one of the 3 USB ports was completely non-functional and my files were copied to this "new" laptop using free shareware programs that were barely accessible. When he was showing me where stuff was he said "I don't know why these pictures are white, we'll come back to that (never happened). I have the files on my external hard drive now but it was not backed up so I can't do a restore which I did with my last computer. So simple. Once you restore from your backup your new computer is exactly like your old one, all files are in proper folders, etc. Now I will have to copy files one by one, a total, time consuming, waste of time. I paid over $250 in labor for set up and it was not set up to my specifications. I explicitly said NO TO WINDOWS 7. Received this one with Windows 7 interface anyway after I said I wanted the Windows 10 start menu. I explained if been using Windows 10 since it was released and that was what I wanted. The only successful part of the setup was the installation of the SSD hard drive. I didn't get a refund for that but I'll guarantee the next owner will pay for it so double labor there. I was expecting a professional, expert, computer repairman and instead feel like I have just paid for an amateur to play around on my dime. I did return the computer and got the $552 I paid for the used, piece of crap, but I had paid over $800 when all was said and done. I paid in cash and received a check drawn on West America bank. They charge $10 to cash their own check. So that's another hit in the old pocketbook. Don't fall prey to shoddy businesses like this. I own my own business and if I ran it this way I would have been out of business long ago. This is just touching the surface....... read more

Several months ago, I got involved with a scam. I disconnected but when I tried to reconnect, i was told I needed a password. I made several tries and was then and then got locked out. I really was in a panic because everything is on my computer. I looked for someone who could help. Novato Computer service was my last call and my first choice. Bill, the owner, had it fixed in one day. He made some additional improvements like replacing the old hard drive with a solid state drive which was a great improvement. He also put in some free software. I have made several visits since then and received the same excellent service. I had been considering a new computer. Bill convinced me I would be wasting my money and time. I am convinced he is right. In general, I have been concerned in the past with how to get service when a problem occurred. No more concerns for me. read more

our old Dell was a mess. Bill totally upgraded and reconfigured it and gave us better programs and security features for a very reasonable price. So glad we found him in downtown Novato! read more

Novato COMPUTER Service has exceptional service and very friendly. The owner is helpful and very knowledgeable about issues and concerns regarding my computer. If you live in Novato I need help with repairing and a computer or just have questions this is the place to go. Thank you for saving me $$$$ read more

Bill was great and helpful getting our computer updated and running. He helped us navigate through the computer too.

Great experience with Bill...he knows his profession. Brought an old dying computer back from the brink with a new SSD and power supply. The machine runs better than brand new. Plus the little extras like adding a spyware/malware program and general cleaning of the box itself and the extensions within the browsers. All in all, a great service. read more

For problems with your computer Novato Computer Service is the place to go. The owner, Mr. Bill MacMillan, took care of some very serious issues that I was having with my computer and did it for a reasonable price. He was able to explain to me in terminology that I could understand what the issues there were with my computer. He even added on a new security program for free and also other useful programs for me with no charge! When I went to pick up my computer Bill explained to me what he had done and what the problems were with my computer in language I could understand and also how to use the programs he installed. My computer is working just fine now and at a much, much greater speed and I hope it continues to do so for the foreseeable future. Bill said from the first time I called him on the phone that he could fix the issues I was having with my computer and he did just that! I highly recommend his computer repair services. Sincerely, David M read more

I dropped my laptop...it did not appear to be in any state of disrepair; however it did not boot up when i powered on...I unplugged, replugged and nothing started...I brought it in to Novato Computer Services...I told the gentleman, who appeared to be the owner, what happened...He plugged it into to his system and it did not power on or boot up...He said with authority that "it doesn't appear to boot up"...I already knew that...He said he would need to keep it there a few days...I said i was travelling and couldn't do that...He said he understood...I asked if there was a charge and he asked for $30...i reluctantly paid but my question was and is, why did he charge anything for less than five minutes of work for something i already knew...His response should have been, "I didn't do anything so i can't charge anything"...I say Caveat Emptor! read more