John’s PC Service is a one-man operation based out in Wudaokou. John has excellent English and fixes PC computers out of his home. Call ahead for an estimate, but in general, he charges ¥50 for pickup and delivery (he can also meet at a convenient subway stop), ¥150 for a full system restore (which takes anywhere from two to four hours and includes data back-up) and ¥200-1,000 for data recovery. For all other services, John usually charges ¥100 per hour, depending on the complexity of the job. Parts are supplied at market prices, and he claims no charges will be incurred if he can’t fix your computer. Availability is generally from 2 pm to 9 pm, Monday through Saturday.
Beijing Computer Repair will send an English-speaking technician directly to your home. They handle both PC and Mac repairs, and charge ¥500 per hour. If your computer has died and you’ve a deadline looming, these are the guys to call. They’ll charge double for the privilege, but they’ll show up at your house in the wee hours of the morning to get your computer working again. Normal hours of operation are Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm.
Johnson Computer Connections currently operates two branches within the city, one in Shunyi and one inZhongguancun. These locations aren’t exactly convenient if you don’t live in a dorm or a villa, but if they’re too far for you to go, an English-speaking technician will come to your place for troubleshooting and repairs. Service covers PCs and Macs, and they charge ¥180 per hour, which includes travel fees. Hardware issues will need to be repaired at their office; in this case, they’ll pick up your computer and call with an estimate. Hours are from 10am to 7pm, seven days a week.
Bai Nao Hui is a potentially cheap and fast option for those with great Chinese—or a great translation app. Conveniently located in Dongdaqiao, this “computer hospital” has technicians that will repair your PC or Apple for a flat rate that you have to agree on first. But remember to bargain hard, and if you don’t like the price (or trust the diagnosis), don’t hesitate to go elsewhere. Opening hours are from 9:30am to 7:30pm.
