Don't be a non-terrorist, law-abiding activist who's been VERIFIED as a target of this government's not-so-secret security forces and expect to be treated professionally and with respect at Boston Tech Collective. Explained who I was, some of the computer security issues I was dealing with (ARP cache POISON man-in-the-middle Trojan on a previous computer; remotely wiped flash drive most recently) when I took my laptop in to be cleaned of malware that locked me out of it. Got it back and they had installed a 'cleaning' program on it without asking or telling me. I had to ask THREE TIMES (in the course of my several calls and visits while my computer was being worked on) if they would install a new hard drive and system on the machine, and how much that would be, thinking I'd just archive this drive, and Sam just kept saying, "You don't really need it." Umm - I'll be the judge of that. YOU just tell me if you want my business. Maybe it's because I'm a gray-haired old lady and I don't deserve the respect and professionalism of a straight-forward answer (or any honest communication about my computer), but is that any better? I guess I should have just gone to Best Buy and let their FBI contractors mess with it. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/if-a-best-buy-technician-is-a-paid-fbi-informant-are-his-computer-searches-legal/2017/01/09/f56028b4-d442-11e6-9cb0-54ab630851e8_story.html?utm_term=.192d8d3ef0b8 I want my $150 back so I can put it toward a new computer. read more

TechCollective - What's this? SURPRISE! Uh, no. I don't need any more of those. - IT Services & Computer Repair Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I run a small medical office with a server and a dozen workstations. BTC has been absolutely fantastic about dealing with our needs, working with our weird management software, suggesting solutions that work, and recommending good hardware. But in particular there are two really important things to me that they get right: they are very responsive with IT support when something goes wrong, and they keep on top of security updates. Excellent business partner for me. Jamie read more

After refusing to give any more money to crook squad...I mean Geek Squad, I found Boston TechCollective for my mom to take her laptop in because Windows (9 or 10, can't remember) messed it up. Brain greeted her and took the laptop for a couple of days and fixed all issues without any problems. She picked it up and it has been working wonderfully well since then. Thanks Brian! I highly recommend Boston TechCollective because they are very honest, efficient and reasonably priced. Other notes: Street parking. About one week repair time. Not far from the Davis Sq. T station. read more

My nonprofit contracted an IT project to the Boston TechCollective in July 2013. Not only did they come in within the contract budget, they communicated with us throughout the entire process, and were extremely flexible. The fact that they were willing to explore a wide variety of scenarios really made the whole process so much easier. I strongly recommend these guys and am eager to get them on retainer to do our IT stuff throughout 2014. read more

I'm a hardcore Republican Capitalist. Today I experienced another form of Collective Capitalism - employee- owned business. Sounds like a nice model! In any case, folks helped me quickly with recovering data from my laptop for my job and saved my a$$. Price was good, speed was great. I'll be back! read more

These folks are extremely knowledgeable and really nice to deal with. It's a relaxed atmosphere at their office and they totally came through for me in an emergency computer situation. Their prices are totally reasonable (not over-priced, totally fair) and they just do a great job overall. If you are looking for great computer tech services I highly recommend the Boston TechCollective! read more

I have worked with the guys at Boston Tech Collective twice now. Once was to ask them to donate to our church's auction, which they did and were very nice to work with. Then I went to them for help with my computer (because why wouldn't I want to give them my business after they were so generous?). They helped me with my hard drive issue and were just easy to deal with. They are professional, nice, and don't make you feel stupid about whatever tech problem you have. I highly recommend going to them with your IT issues. read more

Friendly. Knowledgeable. Patient. Fairly priced . Fixed the computer, yay!! read more

We love this place. We knew Charlie from his work before the collective opened, and he has been excellent. He is knowledgeable, efficient, and kind. This was our first time using the collective, but we had an excellent experience. I was able to bring my machine in, and they were able to take it the same day. Fortunately it was a minor malware problem, and they fixed it completely. We'll definitely go back when we need more help. read more

I absolutely love this place. My PC laptop just konked out on me one day--I brought it here and within a day it was good as new. They told me all the details about what went wrong, and how to take better care of it. Matt was especially awesome and kind in walking me through the inner workings of my computer. AND they're cheaper than most other comp repairs in the area. The best part about it all is that this place is a worker-owned cooperative, so you're really supporting the workers with your business, not some corporate owner who is never even there. Can't recommend it enough. If you need computer help, go to Boston TechCollective!! read more

I had a 2009-vintage Windows 7 desktop that had been super slow to boot plus had been running super noisy for the past year. BTC's Yelp rating spoke highly of them and they are right my neighborhood, so I gave them a shot. It proved a wise choice: they gave me a free initial once-over/consultation and then got my machine running much more smoothly and quietly for a reasonable price. Furthermore they demonstrated admirable "salesperson integrity": during the initial consultation I asked about a couple of possible upgrades to my machine, to which they said they could perform them, but for the kind of parts + labor I was asking about, I'd be better off just buying a new machine than paying them to work on it. That kind of no-BS honesty means a ton to me. And their business model (local, employee-owned collective) is a neat bonus in terms of knowing your money is making a difference in the local economy. I did have one minor gripe about my experience: nobody contacted me to let me know when the work was done. I called the week after I was told the work would likely be done, and when I asked on the status, the guy who answered said it was already ready. It wasn't anything urgent so no harm done, but I was a bit irritated by the feeling that I might have been left hanging a while longer if I didn't take the initiative and check in myself. However, in a follow-up conversation I had with one of the employee/owners, I offered this as an area for improvement and they took full ownership for the slip-up, so it seems they are receptive to constructive criticism and are always looking to provide better customer service. Given that's the case, I can't really hold this against them, and even with the minor delay in getting my machine back, I'd happily use BTC again, as well as recommend them to others. Keep up the good work, guys! read more

These guys are really great: very friendly, very knowledgeable. I came in this morning with a dead PC and left half an hour later with it working 100% - they were able to diagnose the problem and replace the busted component while I was in the shop, which took a grand total of maybe 15-20 minutes. Yochai and Matt were also kind enough to try and help me troubleshoot a problem I've been having my other desktop over the phone later in the day free of charge. I really hope Boston TechCollective is around for a long time, I plan to use them for all my future tech repair. read more

These guys rule. They came so highly recommended that I drove 20 miles to have them service my computer. When I got there they had my problem diagnosed within 5 minutes. (fried hard drive) then suggested I take it back where I got it cause the computer was only one month old. While I was there I learned that they make house calls, and can do remote repairs. They didn't charge me a dime, and gave me some great suggestions for smoother operation in the future. I almost look forward to when my computer craps out on me again cause I feel good knowing I am in good hands.....Thanks guys read more

The mouse and keyboard on my desktop just stopped working all of a sudden. I talked with Matt on the phone, explained my problem, and he told me to bring it in. Once there he quickly began diagnosing my problem and checking for signs of hard drive failure. Fortunately, it was a software issue which he quickly fixed and charged me a very modest fee. Matt was also good enough to give me sound advice on my outdated XP operating system. Hopefully, I won't need their services again...but it's good to know if I do Boston TechCollective will be there! read more

Don't trust these guys. They will up-sell and charge for whatever they think they can get away with it. My laptop automatically updated to Windows 10. After the update, I could not find any of my files. I searched everywhere. I had a work deadline, and I did not have the time to troubleshoot myself, and I suspected I had a virus as well that needed to be addressed. I called these guys - they said bring it right in. After a few hours, they called and said that my hard drive had failed. They said it was $300 to recover my data and also an additional $400-600 (I don't recall the exact price they quoted) to install new drive. I told them I needed the files and that was my major concern. I said the laptop's value was not worth the cost of doing repairs and new installs. I asked whether it was absolutely necessary to recover my data. I told them I did not understand how I lost all of the data by an upgrade. They lied to me. They said the hard drive was compromised so that is why it happened. An hour later, I had some time to do my own research and in some chat rooms saw that it was common for the files to be moved in a hard to find location with a Windows 10 update. I called and spoke to the same two people who had been handling my concerns. They acknowledged that the files were just relocated and they knew where the files were! I asked them then why it is necessary to do a data recovery IF THEY KNEW WHERE MY FILES WERE. They had no intelligent answer other then the hard drive was failing. Note previously, they said it had already failed. At this point, they pushed again (the third time) the need for repairs and new installations. I advised them, again, that the laptop was not worth that much. From the beginning, I consistently said all I wanted from them were my files. They knew where the files were all along, but intentionally withheld this information, claiming instead that a $300 service of data recovery was needed. When I got to the store they said that there was an $80 fee because they said they had already started the data recovery. I looked at the counter at the end of the room - my laptop was sitting there with the power cord wrapped around it. And there were other machines ahead of me. I don't think they had started the data recovery. That was another lie to get me to pay $80. I wanted my laptop back, so I paid it. At home, I was easily able to power up and move the files to an external hard drive. read more

They just want to do computers and are helpful and fair with regard to charges in that regard. I've gotten help for everything from testing a motherboard to see if I need a new part or a new computer to having them reattach a keyboard key for me. Good stuff. read more

I had a fantastic experience at Boston TechCollective. My laptop was running really slow, so I dropped it off and within the hour they had finished a diagnostic test and recommended I put in more RAM. Now it's running great. The employees were all super nice, and Yochai in particular was incredibly charming and supportive. read more

I found Boston TechCollective based on their other 5 star reviews a few weeks after the keyboard on my laptop decided on total anarchy and starting entering totally different characters and commands than the ones I typed. They were initially unable to recreate the problem, but suggested a couple of options. The problem turned out to be exactly what they'd suspected, just a hardware issue with the keyboard and they replaced it incredibly quickly and inexpensively. Everyone I worked with was thorough and friendly and took the time to explain the different technical procedures and options. I'll definitely come back next time I have a computer problem. read more

Yes, this is as good as it gets. I suspect a large part of their business is with large corporations and multi-staffed offices. But x = 1 here and I couldn't be happier. I've put my problems to savvy friends, BU students, the genius bar at Apple, and Goggle but the unhappy interface of Office and a Mac, plus contact duplications, email circularities, and double downloads was driving me crazy. Boston TechCollective to the rescue. Easy to schedule, right on time, patient, loaded with expertise and happy to share small conveniences as well as giant-problem solutions, these are the people you want to hire. read more

These guys have fixed my laptop twice. It is great to work with down-to-earth, knowledgeable people whose main focus is to get my equipment working without a lot of razzle-dazzle up-selling. I recommend them to anyone I know who is having computer issues. read more

Your computer doesn't work. You take it here. They fix it. They are friendly, smart, reliable and fair. What more can you ask for? read more

If you need your computer fixed, go here. These guys are THE BEST! My imac had quickly slowed to a snail's pace, so I rushed to run a backup. It took a full week, and I began despairing that my computer would be salvageable. Minutes after the week-long backup finished, the hard drive failed completely (whew!). It was 5 years old, and I figured that it had simply died of old age, and started hunting around for a used replacement under 1k (which was way more than I could afford but seemed my only option). One evening I walked passed the closed Boston TechCollective offices in Teele Square and on a whim googled them, and came upon their glowing, all-five-star reviews here on Yelp. I decided to send them an email that night describing what had happened, not expecting much. Early the next morning I'd received a warm email inviting me to bring my sad, dead computer in for a free diagnostic. I figured it couldn't hurt to try, so I dropped it off shortly before closing time and continued my search for a replacement. The next day I got a phone call where they explained that my hard drive had indeed failed, but that it would be no problem to replace it and get it running as good as new again. Brian (I believe?) spoke with me at length, listened to all of my concerns about spending money on a 5+ year machine and gave me honest advice about how to best work within my budget to get what I needed for the next few years. Not only did they replace the hard drive, they upgraded my ram, updated my operating system, and reinstated all of my data from my backup for HUNDREDS less than I'd been expecting. I was quoted a very reasonable price for new ram, then got a call about a half hour later telling me that they'd found the same model for $45 less. They didn't charge for diagnostics, upgrading, or setting anything up - just the parts and actual replacing-things labor. They were SO kind and understanding, explaining everything to me in layman's terms and answering all of my questions at length. And did I mention that this whole process was started and completed over the course of one weekend??! I am going to advise everyone I know to go here for their computer needs, and I don't think I'll ever be going anywhere else. They were a lifesaver!! read more

This was one of the most pleasant computer repair experiences that I've had. The customer service at the front desk was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. I had a simple issue with my computer not starting up. He did some diagnostic work on my computer, had it up and running in a few minutes, and didn't charge me a penny. He also made some recommendations on my next laptop choice. It was a really positive experience and I'll be back next time I have any computer issues! Thanks. read more

Went back in when the touchpad on my new laptop started malfunctioning on me. They helped me in under an hour and didn't even charge me because it turned out to be such an easy fix (yup, I suck at computers). read more

Based on reviews from here, I called to see if they could help with a network and wireless problem at my house. I just started working from home more regularly and have to VPN into my company's network to access email, sharepoint you name it. My connections to my wireless router was weak and I already bought an extender that did not really work. I called Boston TechCollective on a Friday and they sent Joe out on a Tuesday. I told him my problem and within an hour we had a workable and affordable solution! Joe was knowledgeable, had no attitude and did not make me feel stupid. I could have spent hours and days trying to figure this out on my own but with the help of Joe, everything was fixed within the day and my download/upload speeds increased by 10 fold. Thank you guys, you are all amazing!! read more

Outstanding customer service, very patient, knowledgeable, work with you to both resolve issues and help you understand what went wrong. We are a small business that basically threw a few broken machines at them and said to save our data, and get our new computers to work like the old ones... and they did... and the price was great. Highly recommended. read more

Needed a screen replaced on a Lenovo Thinkpad laptop. They ordered the part but let me keep using the machine (no payment yet) and when I finally did bring it in, they were able to fix it in one day- including replacing the hard drive, which was indeed failing. I took the opportunity to switch operating systems, and they burnt a Mint CD for me. And then got me a mirror of the old drive. Fantastic service! read more

These guys are awesome. I echo all of the previous 5 star reviews about how helpful and efficient they are. It was so refreshing to have a computer problem fixed without any hassle! They definitely are also fairly priced. I look forward to attending some of their Thursday hangouts after work :). read more

I highly recommend this young and knowledgeable team! Christine Dorchak, President and General Counsel, GREY2K USA Worldwide www.GREY2KUSA.org read more

AMAZING company, staff, and an incredible amount of talent. I put off getting an IT company for my small business for way too long, and things were a mess when I finally called these folks. Yochai basically rehabilitated all my workstations, network, installed both hardware and software, and all kinds of thing I never even thought about. He's thorough without being condescending, and really, really knows his stuff. (And also replies to questions within seconds!) The fees are fair as well. Save yourself a ton of trouble and just call these folks and let them do their thing. I should have done it years ago! read more

This place is AMAZING. They were super helpful and friendly and gave me advice as soon as I walked in the door. I got lucky and the repair cost $300 less than expected because certain replacement parts weren't necessary. They even waived the initial fee for diagnosing the problem and taking apart and cleaning the computer. They were thorough, professional, quick, and definitely cheaper than the Genius Bar. SO GREAT. Will definitely go back to them with any tech problems in the future. read more

Skip the 'Genius Bar' and go here! Super place, did an excellent job and they have have terrific people skills. They really know what they are doing. They are extremely down to earth, explain everything clearly, the space is nice, well-lighted and clean. I had thousands of dumb questions about my computer problem and they patiently answered all of them without batting an eye. I also understood what they said--so I'm even more knowledgeable now. Genuinely nice people with a good sense of humor. price is extremely reasonable. I have much lower anxiety about any computer issue because I know they can fix it and I know I can afford their prices. read more

I've been on Yelp forever but never actually have written a review. But I really wanted to for these guys because I've been in 2 times the past three weeks for two different issues and both times with different people was treated with patience and kindness, in such a prompt manner. They don't charge anything just to hear out your issue and take a quick look at it, test out your hard drive, etc. It's unheard of and I really respect that and appreciate it! Thanks again. read more

These folks provided superior service without the belittlement that usually comes with the computer repair industry. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for help with their computer, be that Mac, Linux, or Windows. read more

Nice guys- you updated your pictures after I mentioned it! I brought my Mac book pro in here and they did a diagnostic for free. They concluded I had a failing hard drive. The consultation I got in regards to my data was accurate and they offered a good price for full data recovery. I decided my data wasn't worth it and I just really wanted to get my Mac up and running and leave the past 7 years behind. However, they were going to charge $256 for changing my drive (labor is $150 plus around $100 for a 120 GB Standard State drive). Now I'll admit I'm not a tech person at all so they could've have said any price and I really wouldn't have known the difference. I decided to bring it to the Genius Bar at Apple to get a second opinion. Since Apple cannot do labor on hardware for "vintage" Macs, the guy at the counter said I could easily fix it myself and even helped me pick out a hard drive on Best Buy website. So I went to Best Buy, purchased a 240 GB Standard State drive for $60, bought the screwdrivers I needed for $10, and replaced the hard drive myself in 10 minutes. Shout out to ifixit.com for the step by step tutorial. Not only do I feel empowered by such a simple task, but I feel the need to share my experiences. Don't be fooled by the cute techies with social skills. If it seems simple, get a second opinion and do the labor yourself! Side note, my operating system will need to be reinstalled in order for the computer to work again. Apple said they do this for free. Thank you! read more

These guys are honest, keep you updated on the progress of your repair, and are upfront and accurate with cost estimates. I can't add any superlatives that earlier reviewers haven't already, so I'll leave it here. read more

Boston TechCollective was great! They fixed my laptop moniter quickly. It was reasonably priced, and it was a pleasure doing buisness with them! We'll definitely return for other tech issues. -W read more

I brought my 2009 iMac in to get a drive replaced and they did a great job, for a very reasonable price. I tend to be comfortable fixing things on my own, but in this case, seeing what was involved swapping a disk, I was glad to have a resource like this available. read more

I have always received good service from the Boston TechCollective. Whether I'm getting help in my home office with a computer tune-up or in their office, when buying a computer (I bought two PCs from them for my business) or having a repair done, They've always been a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend the TechCollective for all your computer support/repair/buying needs! I trust them completely to do their best for me. And perhaps I should say that I'm an older woman and had no trouble with their respect for me. read more

These guys did a great job on my laptop on my laptop, which was overheating just 2 days before I needed it for a DJ gig. They cleaned it all out, and, knowing that I needed it, let me take it back without charging because they hadn't had time to give it a final stress test. It ran beautifully all night and when I brought it back the next day they gave it the final ok. Great experience (and they even looked me up on MixCloud!). read more