Long before there was ever an Apple store at Briarwood Mall, there was the Learning Center. For quite awhile, they were the only game in town (at least that I knew of) to reliably fix and service your mac. I've had Macs for a long time, so over the years, I've had a few melt-downs, crashes, etc. Luckily, the Learning Center has pretty much always come to the rescue. It hasn't always been cheap, but it's been reasonable, and they do try to help you figure out if the service you need would be covered under a AppleCare. Now that the Genius Bar is so close, the Apple Store would probably be the first place I'd take a cranky computer, but I'm still comforted that the Learning center is around, and still apparently doing a pretty healthy business! One thing that I find weird, though? They don't seem to have a website. I mean, they work on computer, right? read more

3 stars is not an insult, it means "A-OK." (I'm a strict grader). This shop delivers what I would expect, other than not seeming to have any web presence at all. (?) I was actually directed here from the nearby Apple Store, as they had a long service back-up and The Learning Center didn't. My machine needed a new hard drive - they ordered one, got it overnight (their standard shipping time) and had my Mac Book Pro ready to pick up the afternoon of that day. They are Apple Care certified, so my repair didn't cost me anything, and my Apple Care warranty is still in effect for the drive. Before the Apple Store came along, they were a much larger operation; now they mostly focus on service, and have reduced the size of their offices, which are clean and professional looking. Drive around to the back of the building, they have a walk-in entrance from the lower-level parking lot. read more

DO NOT GO HERE. Seriously. They're slow, they're lazy, and they're incompetent. I had a 2 1/2 year old iMac which was undergoing a persistent kernel panic. I was almost certain it was a simple corrupted hard drive that needed to just be remotely wiped, but I didn't have time to deal with it myself. They had an appointment available, so I took it in. First, it took them 4 days just to put it on the diagnostic bench. When they did, the tech just told me the hard drive was physically broken and needed to be replaced. When I asked whether she had tried simply wiping the drive, she told me she couldn't even attempt to wipe the drive without disassembling the computer at additional charge. I reclaimed the computer, remote wiped the disk with a bootable USB, and reinstalled the OS. Everything was completely and totally fine. I don't know if it's corporate policy to just try and scam their customers or if the tech was just being lazy and obstinate. Either way, I paid $80 so that someone could sit on my computer for 5 days and then insult me to my face. read more

These guys are great! There customer service is not beatable by an apple store, not only did I have 3 people working on my computer the minute I walked in but they were able to do what the apple store couldn't. I went to the Apple store at Briarwood mall first before visiting the learning center and after having to wait (2 days) to get an appointment with the apple store. took my computer and brand new exeternal HD in to the apple store so they could do a diagnostics, and hopefully solve my problem. They blamed the issues on my brand new unopened from the box external HD... after making me wait 20min and then speaking with me for under 5 min. Apple store is a joke, always slammed with 100+ people in there a young staff with not the best customer service. The Learning center solved the same problem i presented to the apple store but solved my issue in 10 minutes FOR FREE. I will never go back to the apple store now that I know the Learning center is here. They are incredibly responsive, respectful, and the customer service is amazing! read more

Came in for a Mac power issue. Tried to charge me a $79 fee to run diagnostics after pushing a few buttons I had already tried. Then wouldn't give me any price information beyond that. Then lied to me about how much doing diagnostics at the Genius Bar would cost. Save yourself the time and aggravation and head to Briarwood Apple store instead. read more

I was taking my moms computer to the learning center because it was under warranty. So when my friend was having trouble with her mac computer I took it there and paid the $100 diagnostic fee. I was told that there was water damage and it would be $800 to order the parts and fix the damaged areas. My friend decided to get a second opinion at the Apple Store- who told her that there were absolutely no signs of water damage and they could fix the damaged parts for $200. No diagnostic fee and no signs of water damage. On top of this- the main technician that we worked with knew shockingly little about the computer/software and was trying to relate a 10 yr old Mac to the 1 year old one I was bringing in. read more

This place must be doing very well, because the impression I got from them was that they weren't interested in my business. My Macbook Pro has a hardware problem that will very likely require a logic board replacement to solve. The tech support specialist at the Apple store here in Ann Arbor isolated it, then presented me with two options: I could get the laptop serviced by Apple for a flat fee, or I could take it to the Learning Center (which advertises itself as a certified Apple service center) and ask them for a possibly different quote. Being inclined to support smaller businesses whenever possible, I did the latter. When I walked in the door, the first person to notice me turned around from his computer and asked me how he could help me. When I explained that I had an Apple laptop with a hardware problem that needed servicing, he turned to another gentleman, with a *grimace* on his face - a wordless plea for this second person to help me so that he could return to his work. This second gentleman gestured for me to put my laptop on a nearby table and show him what was wrong with it. I demonstrated the problem, which manifests quite dramatically as a graphics glitch when you attempt to open Launchpad, and related the Apple store specialist's hypothesis that it was an issue with the integrated graphics chip on the motherboard. The gentleman responded: "Yeah, it could a problem with the *trackpad*, it could be anything, we won't know until we've taken a look at it, and it's 80 dollars for a diagnostic." (emphasis mine). Unwilling to spend 80 dollars on re-diagnosing a problem that had already been diagnosed, I asked: "So suppose that solving this requires a logic board replacement, can you give me a rough idea of how much that would cost?" He responded: "I wouldn't know, I'm just a sales person. For 80 dollars, we'll look at it and then we'll give you a quote." At this point, I realized that I wouldn't get to talk to someone with any real expertise on the matter before forking over the cash. So I packed up my laptop, and decided (against my instincts) to go with the Apple store. On the plus side, I didn't waste too much time at the Learning Center. This whole disappointing interaction was over rather quickly. read more

I've had nothing but good luck going to the Learning Center over the years. I'd rate it as one of Ann Arbor's best kept secrets.

I wish I had read the reviews on Yelp about this place before I got there. But Learning Center was referred to me by Apple Store Ann Arbor because my computer is a vintage and Apple doesn't repair vintages. It is curious, but I had the same impression about Learning Center as I read in one of the reviews, that says: "that they weren't interested in my business". I was so frustrated with the cranky treatment that I received on my first visit, that I told my husband that they didn't seem to care a bit. They asked me $79 upfront for a diagnostic. As my computer wouldn't turn on, they said that it could be the power supply, which would cost around $200. The next day I received the quote: Power supply: 299.00 Labor: 80.00 Tax: 17.94 Total: 396.94 Including the diagnostic fee, it would be $475.94. I declined the service and picked it up. After I got home, I realized that the computer had a huge scratch on the inside of the screen. I brought it back to the store and they told me that the scratch was there before. How would it be possible for me to scratch a screen on the inside? It was the first time the computer was ever serviced. As they wouldn't admit their fault, there was not much I could do other than a scene, which I didn't. And that's pretty much the situation they put me through. I walked out of that place with one more issue in my computer, that they gifted me after I had paid $79 bucks. read more

I'm going to start off by saying that I have always had my MacBook Pro serviced at the Genius Bar, and I do think that should be your first stop. I have an early-2011 MBP, which means it's now considered "vintage". I tried updating the OSX to High Sierra, but the update kept failing and when I quit the installer, I wasn't able to see my hard drive as a start-up disk option. I called the Apple helpline and they walked me though a few things on the phone, but it became clear that my computer needed to be looked at in person. Due to my MBP being 7 years old and "vintage", the Genius Bar will no longer service it. The customer rep told me that The Learning Center was the closest, authorized repair center. The Learning Center is not open on weekends, and they're only open until 5:30PM on weekdays. So, I leave work early and swing by The Learning Center late afternoon on a Tuesday, I recount my conversation with the Apple helpline and they tell me they'll need to run a diagnostic test on it for $79. Okay, cool, not terrible. They tell me that they should have the results in 24-48 hours. I get a call on Thursday (within that 48 hour window) letting me know that my hard drive has failed. They tell me that they have my hard drive in stock, and they can replace it right away. They also say it should be ready Friday. They tell me it is going to cost $275.54. I tell them go ahead and replace it. I get a call later that same day telling me that if I have an external hard drive, I can bring it in and they'll load the latest back-up on my newly replaced hard drive. I leave work early on Thursday to drop my external hard drive off at The Learning Center. I get a call on Monday that my laptop is ready for pick-up. I leave work early again and go pick it up. Pay my $275.54 and leave. Overall, I'm pleased with my experiences at The Learning Center. They completed the work in a professional and timely manner. I appreciated them calling me back and letting me know that they would load my external hard drive back-up on my computer. I do find it inconvenient that they're only open until 5:30PM on weekdays and closed on the weekends, but I guess I've just come to expect Apple Store hours. The people that you interact with at the desk are DEFINITELY sales people and will not tell you much without that diagnostic test. With my laptop being so old that the Apple Store won't service it anymore, I am grateful that there is an authorized Apple repair center nearby and they did a pretty good job! read more

If you're around the Ann Arbor area and want to touch and feel (and perhaps buy) any of the Apple products, go to the Apple store in Briarwood. (OK, touch, feel, and play, then buy on-line.) If you need ANY service, in or out of warranty, head to The Learning Center. These folks are trustworthy, extraordinarily prompt, fair in pricing. But the real differences vs. the Apple store: (1) no appointment necessary; I can get in to see my MD faster than I can get an appointment with the "geniuses" of Apple (2) combined decades of experience with all things Mac, not the relatively limited experience of the "youngsters" in the Apple store; (3) you don't get a number of diagnoses of problems equal to the number of people in the store -- too many times I've been in the Apple store for repairs, and every "genius" who looked at the unit differed on what the problem most likely was; the outcome of the repairs -- often unsatisfactory -- reflected that issue. (4) you may be dealing with only minutes or hours til you're fixed up -- and fixed up right -- at TLC, not the days or even a week or more typical of the Apple store. (5) Parts that hard to find or that may take days for the Apple store to get are either in stock or available usually the same or next day at TLC. (6) You're treated courteously and promptly at TLC; at the Apple store you're basically just another chunk of meat to them, unless you're ready to spend money; and even then you're just another chump with money, like all the rest. I've been burned in terms of diagnostics and repairs at the Apple store. Never at TLC. GO THERE FIRST read more

Super friendly and professional service when I walked in. My Macbook Pro had a failing hard drive, and needed a new battery. Computer was dropped off Monday afternoon, and it was ready for pick up Friday afternoon. Lost all my data, but that's my fault for not backing up. I recommend! read more

I LOVE the Learning Center! I've been going there since long before the Apple Store showed up at the mall. They are friendly, professional, very knowledgeable and helpful, honest, speedy, thorough, and they go above and beyond in many cases. AND there is no standing in line to be assisted by a genius! And no pressure to buy something you don't need. Parking is easy in and out. It is a short walk from your car to the service desk if you need to carry something (which I regularly do). They also sell all Apple Products, if you need something. Apple certified. It's All Good! read more

I went to the Learning Center to have my MacBook Pro repaired under Apple Care. I have always taken good care of the computer (L.C. staff concurred), but the battery was losing charge more quickly, the return key was sticking, and the display was pulling from the unit at the hinges. The display issue was partially my fault, but I also learned that there is a manufacturer's defect with this part. Also, I was not a new customer to the Learning Center. I have purchased Apple products, and service from them in the past. The Learning Center stated that my Apple Care would not cover any of the repairs including the battery and sticky key. They wanted $1200 to fix it! When I complained about spending the extra money for Apple Care they simply said "... nothing in life is free." I was not asking for a free repair, but expected some coverage. I was ready to give up on Apple products, after my experience at the L.C. I felt Apple Care was a waste of money and they didn't stand behind their products... but then I went to the Apple Store. At the Apple Store I received excellent customer service and professionalism. The Apple Store fixed everything at no charge exceeding my expectations! I guess some things in life are free... but not at the Learning Center. So much for supporting a small local business. read more

Need to get your Mac serviced? Do your wallet a favor and go elsewhere. I learned this lesson the hard way. I took my Mac in for servicing and asked at the time I turned it in what expense I might expect for the repair. It was a battery issue. That's it. A battery. The man who helped me check in my computer told me it would be roughly $200, and figuring that was reasonable, I left my computer there, expecting it to be repaired in a couple days. Four days later I get a phone call with the quote. $350--almost double the estimate! The man who had checked in my computer had failed to mention the diagnostic fee was additional, not part of the original $200 estimate. Oh, and so were a bunch of other charges, including the $80/hour labor. I'm desperate to get my computer back, so I forked over the $$$. But I'm so angry and won't stay silent. Everyone needs to know what kind of treatment they can expect from this place before they go in! I thought, being an authorized service center, they could be trusted. NO! I was wrong! read more

This local business is GREAT! Why go to the Apple Store and wait for barely trained teenagers to look at your Mac when you can go here? They're incredibly helpful - from computer repair to advice about useful products. They're always very honest, regardless of the price of the item or if it is an Apple exclusive device. They fixed my broken keys and cleaned my laptop for free - even helped me get rid of junk and get my laptop working like new again, at no charge. I highly recommend them to anyone with a Mac. Their prices are reasonable, too, and they have sales on items as well. read more

I had a very pleasant experience with The Learning Center. I needed a new hard drive for my 2008 MacBook Pro and they provided me with details over the phone about the cost, turn around time, etc. The gentleman I spoke with on the phone was extremely helpful and kind. I dropped off my Mac that day and it was finished within 24-hours just as they had stated. I will go here again instead of waiting in line at the Apple store in Briarwood. Their prices were fair and overall I am very satisfied. read more

Great Service, and much more helpful than the "Apple Genius" who wouldn't mention any local solutions. The Apple Store solution was going to take twice as long and without knowledge of how much the cost would be. Feeling comfortable and confident about who you are turning your computer over to is important and this felt much better than the Apple Store approach. I will use this service again and consider them for other services now that they exceeded my expectations. Bravo! read more