Laptop/iPad Repair Company Recommendations?

[kierans]

Hi,

Looking for recommendations for a third-party repair company for laptops and iPads. Happy enough to handle desktop repairs in-house but prefer to send laptops and iPads out. Being a special school it's almost exclusively screen replacements. 

 

We've used Entrust (Capita) for years and they were generally fine, but turnaround times have gone completely downhill. Had a laptop sent off for a screen replacement nearly two months ago and still haven't got it back. Prices are still reasonable enough, but what's the point if you're not getting machines back?

 

Who are you using? Any companies to avoid?

 

Cheers in advance.

[itskdog]

We've usually just popped down to the local high street to one of the phone repair shops for our iPads. Only had one issue in the 5-6 times we've used them, and the one we've used most often has been happy to take payment via bank transfer, so no need to borrow the school credit card.

 

Laptops are a bit more finicky to change the screens, but at least with HP, the service manuals are really detailed if you're getting business-class machines (ProBook or higher, but even 250s have good manuals, if harder to get the bottom cover off), and obtaining parts is easy, either through their parts store or an authorised reseller. Replacing a screen is usually just taking the bottom off, disconnecting the cables, and unscrewing the hinges from the bottom half before separating the two halves.

 

If you're not getting the machines back, that's when I'd consider informing the office to hold off on paying the invoice while you're going through the complaints process - they don't pay until the item is delivered for physical goods when paid through a purchase order, why not for services as well?

 

If this is a regular thing (which in your case it sounds like it is), I'd also consider if getting accidental damage cover when you purchase the devices, on top of the usual extended warranty (DfE standards say 3 year warranties for PCs, 2 years for tablets), then the OEM can repair, potentially even on-site if you get the right cover.

[Gongalong]

We use a local repairer but have used the manufacturer as well. For anything Apple we use https://www.macfixer.co.uk/, who I think you can send things to.

[3s-gtech]

Latest Lenovos that I've done in the last five years are screwless screen replacement. Screen from Amazon, bosh. Thankfully not had to do an iPad yet - ours are in cases but that's no guarantee!

[DavR]

We used MED Repairs - https://www.medrepairs.co.uk/ - last time we needed an iPad repair. It's been a while though (touch wood).

 

We do all of our laptop repairs in house, things in the laptop world are increasingly bolt on bolt off these days, much better than they used to be. I appreciate that it's not everyone's cup of tea, though. I didn't used to go near them myself until needs must-ed.