Renew Computers

Hey Michael. Thanks for the update. Glad your are doing something good for the community. Keep up the good work!

I was so sad that Green Citizen shut its doors in San Rafael, but am glad that Renew Computers is so close by. Off went my dead Nutribullet. For your convenience, I copied and pasted their acceptance policies from their website:
What We Accept:
* All computers and laptops
* Computer monitors (CRT and LCD)
* Televisions, plasma/​LCD TVs and rear-​projection TVs
* Printers and Fax machines
* Video equipment including VCRs, DVD players, and projectors
* Audio equipment including stereo amplifiers, receivers (no wood speakers)
* Small kitchen appliances including toasters, blenders, etc.
* Wire and cables
* UPS backup power supply units
* Cell phones, telephones, telephone equipment
* Any computer related device, component, peripheral, or accessory
* Remote Controls
* Smartphones and tablets
* Laptop batteries and cell phone batteries
What We Do Not Accept:
* Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, etc.)
* Light bulbs
* Cardboard and/​or Cardboard boxes!
* Commercial Copy machines/​Large Copiers (We can accept this item for $ 35 each)
* Large Architect/​Plotter Printers (We can accept this item for $ 35 each)
* Microwaves (We can accept this item for $ 5 each)
* Wooden speaker cabinets (if hollowed/​empty)
* Furniture
* Large household appliances such as refrigerators, stoves, etc.
* Styrofoam
* Large containers or wooden boxes
* VHS or other tapes quantity over 50 per week
We only charge to accept:
* Commercial Copy machines/​Large Copiers — $ 35 each
* Large Architect/​Plotter Printers — $ 35 each
* Microwaves — $ 5 each

After my Odyssey at Best Buy I was recommended to come over to Renew Computers to fix my laptop. I was given an estimate of $ 90 in labor and was told immediately what was wrong with my computer. I spoke with Al at the front desk. Why does anyone go to Best Buy for anything? This place is awesome! $ 90 is a price I can live with! It took 2 days to fix my computer. They phoned me with an update and a couple of price point options. I am so thrilled with the service and prices here. $ 160 out the door with a new screen, no pixilation, wifi working & windows 10 installed. I will buy all my computers here from now on. Who knows I might get a Mac next time around. Saidel was the technical genius behind my repair. I love this place and I will be back!

Marty Step, Renew’s Mac specialist, is brilliant and fast working. Renew Computers is very helpful and reasonable coastwise. Great place.

Renew Computers has been a great resource for our nonprofit organization. We needed a PC to run a scientific database, and rather than run to Best Buy for a barely good-​enough laptop that would break down in a year, we ordered a powerful, refurbished desktop from Renew Computers for about half the price. Thank you!
Nonprofits and schools can order a basic computer at a minimal price for employees, clients and students, or add more bells and whistles for just a little more. This is really a great community service.
Renew has also been very helpful as a place to recycle e-​waste and keep it out of the landfill. They are a great local business and nice to work with.

How I wish there were more businesses like this one! Very friendly and helpful employees, not out to make a buck. They give great advice and will sell you a part with a money back guarantee and 90 day warrantee. I really hope they stay around a long time.

I recently needed a projector and Marty and his helper went above and beyond good customer service to make sure I was set up. These guys are from last century regarding taking care of the customer. The took the time to help me. And they have the brains and focus to have gotten me what I needed. So nice to have such a smooth transaction.

My big business Mac was dead in the water and after exploring the Apple store and many possible options I took it to Marty at Renew. One day later it was back in service and completely functional. Cost was extremely reasonable. I would chose them first in any future emergency.

This is an updated review.
Although I did not get all of what I asked for in the data transfer I requested, Michael very kindly and unhesitatingly refunded half of the service fee I paid. This confirms my opinion that Renew Computers has a terrific, helpful staff.

Renew computer will save you $ on some simple items such as mouses, cables, keyboards but some of the monitors and computers are a dicey proposition and for the little extra cost involved you are better off purchasing new with a 1 year warranty. I got a T. V «Sharp 32 «and was told everything worked but found out after getting it home that the sound didn’t work. By the extra time you spend you are better off getting new in a carton with a warranty.

I recently bought a renovated Mac for half the price of a similar Mac @ the Apple store; it works great & Marty was very helpful in transferring files from my old Mac; I’d def buy here again. Also, they take used computers, no charge, and best of all, they’re a local business

What a great experience I had with Renew Computers. Aside from the fact that I’ve been recycling electronics there for years, this time my computer crashed. They were so incredibly helpful and were able to retrieve all of the information that I needed and even had refurbished computers there to purchase. No hard sell, no taking advantage of a desperate situation when needing information locked in a broken computer where you would pay almost anything to retrieve that info — their prices were fair and reasonable. Thank you for your help.

I really love this place. A broken computer = a lot of stress, so when I walk in the door and I’m greeted by a friendly helpful staff ready and willing to take care of me, it’s priceless. The staff seems to really care about what they do too, and I love that. It’s been a far cry from my experience at Best Buy down the street. Aside from all the great stuff about this place, the opportunity to support local business just feels really good too. It’s a win win.

I have an IMac and the hard drive failed. Unlike everyone else I don’t back it up as often as I should. Anyway they were able to install a new drive and recover all of the old drive faster than promised for the price they said. I could not be more pleased or relieved. I recommend them for any and all computer needs.

I had my laptop screen cracked and was in despair over other repair places in Marin that had quoted me a high price to fix it! A friend recommended this place so I gave it a shot, and boy was it worth going there! The service department guys were very courteous, explaining everything thoroughly and gave me a quote that was half of what other places had said! They said to come back in 3 days to pick it up, wow! Happy happy happy customer and I plan on using Renew computers in the future!

I just want to post that this company, Renew Computers, is one of the most valuable assets to our community. So many times I have had issues with our computers and they are the most knowledgable team of experts around. Marty in particular is the best technician I know that works there. They are all equally as good, but my experience with Marty couldn’t have been better. He is the one who always takes care of me. He knows I don’t have a lot of money and he seems to make things still work out for me. I can’t tell you how many people I have referred to them too that have had nothing but praise for their outstanding work. God bless these guys and I’m so happy we have a place like this here in our area. If you have a computer need, or need a rebuilt machine or data that as been lost that might be able to be recovered, CALL THEM! Thank You RENEW COMPUTERS!!!

My Dell PC gave it up after 14 years of service. I was about to by a new computer at Best Buy, and deal with the sales people, and wait for a week while they transfer the old data to my new PC. On the way, I stopped by Renew Computer just for a look. I am sure glad that I did! I met with «Tim» and he showed me a refurbished computer on sale for $ 225.00! It came loaded with Windows 7 OS, and they charged me $ 40.00 to transfer my old data, for the next day! I was completely impressed with the service, and this company! I recommend them!

I bought a Mac from them when my BestBuy computer crashed for the last time. They were incredibly nice and helpful during the purchase. Later in the day, I emailed a question an got a quick response from Tim, which gave me exactly the information I needed.
3 weeks after the purchase, I had to take it back because it stopped working — logic board… very bad. I understand it’s an old computer and these things happen — I’m thankful I was within the warranty period though! But Tim swapped it for another computer and was able to transfer over all the data the very same day, which was so incredible since I’m approaching midterms!
The shop came highly recommended and I would second that (third, wherever). Fantastic with great service.

I recently used their repair service for my laptop. Eric (owner?) gave me a very straightforward diagnosis and advised me the cost of repair was within a couple of hundred dollars of the price of a comparable new computer. It was closer than I expected, but I still decided it was worth it to repair the old one. They did the work within the estimated price and it works fine now.
Other repair shops I have gone to just wanted to grab the computer and essentially say «whatever we fix, you pay for.» Renew is different because they try to give you the information you need to make an informed decision. Definitely a thumbs-​up!

I dumped an entire 5 completely useless electronic items that were only taking up space in my supervisor’s office off at Renew computers today. He’s the kind of guy that keeps something because it’s «It’s a TOTALLY BADASS CORDLESS PHONE». BUt, Josh, WHERE IS THE PHONE? THIS IS JUST THE RECEIVER. They go together like gin and juice, Harold and Maude, peanut butter and jelly. It just isn’t as good without it’s better half.
GET RID OF IT! Stop HOARDING STUFF IN YOUR OFFICE/​HOME/​CAR YOU DON’t NEED or USE SIMPLY BECAUSE IT MAY WORK ONE DAY WHEN YOU FIND THAT OTHER PART THAT IT GOES TO.
You’ll feel better, afterward.
Trust. And you won’t have to pay a cent to do it!!!