Computer Business Center

Joseph is a godsend, he conducts business the way it was meant to be. He treats his customers like family and he has the consumer’s best interest in mind when making recommendations. A bit on my recent experience with Joseph. I work in tech+media and need a fast, dependable laptop. I was considering buying a new one, but wanted to consider upgrading the hard drive and RAM of my Macbook Pro. From the second I called CBC, Joseph was super helpful. and he was accommodating to when I could stop by after work — «not to disrupt your day, that’s most important» he told me. After a brief 10 minute consultation, I decided to have Joseph upgrade my Macbook… and he even managed to talk me into a smaller hard drive (based on my usage) to save me $ 80. I then took my laptop back because I needed it for work, and Joseph made himself available to me late Friday/​early Saturday — «whenever was convenient for me» he said — and once I dropped it off (late Friday after work hours, he waited for me) he spent Saturday doing the work and he had my computer ready by Saturday afternoon for me to pick up. I suggest going nowhere else but to see Joseph when you have computer issues. I’ll go nowhere else ever again. Cheers to you, Joseph!

Joseph is our go to man! He has helped us keep all four of our business computers up to date and running as well as all of our personal devices. Fast and most certainly reliable. Joseph has helped us save a ton of money by not having to replace any of our hardware. We recommend him to anyone anyday!

Brought in my computer because it was running slow.
Joseph totally handled my problem by putting in a new hard drive and moving all my files over. Computer is much faster now.
His price was less than Best Buy and he got it back to be the same day. Very happy.

Just moved here from another state. When I tried to set up my computer it was dead. Although it was old, it had been working fine before it took a ride on a moving truck. Since, there had been no problems prior to the move, I had no idea what was wrong. For unethical computer repair people this could have been a gift from heaven so, needless to say I was concerned about where to go for repair. I decided to buy a new computer and bring it to Computer Business Center to see if the data could be transferred at a reasonable price. Let me just say that Joseph is a super nice guy who listened carefully and laid out different scenarios and costs depending on what he found with the old computer. Ultimately, he charged me what I thought was too little (there’s something you never hear) to fix the old computer and transfer all the data to my new computer. I very rarely write reviews but, in this case I couldn’t wait to tell the world about my experience.

Dropped my laser printer off today because it the printing was very streaky. Was told by Joseph that he would take a look and let me know what he thought the problem was. Get a phone call 2 hrs later its «ready» and was confused as I was expecting some kind of diagnosis before any repair. Arrive at the store and was told 2 hrs of work for $ 100! All he did was put another printer cartridge in to test it and clean it off! My guess is that it took less than 15 min. Wish I never went there and just bought a new cartridge online:(Ill never do business here again.

I found Joe with my first computer in about 1987. I have had him build and fix my computers ever since. I have never lost any data. Even when a hard drive goes down he can get the data off of it. He has kept my 1998 HP 4000 printer in top shape too. I’m currently running 4 computers from him. One of them must be 12 years old, and still used twice a week for my billing. A real techie, he has an E.E. degree from UCLA. Very personable. Incredible memory. A real mensch, and it is fun talking to him!

Joseph rescued my Dell Inspiron twice, for a reasonable price, and when its hard drive finally crashed completely, swapped out the old one, installed Windows 7 (my preference over 8) and more memory, PLUS sold me a reconditioned Toshiba Satellite, also with Windows 7, for less than the price of a new laptop. So now I have two clean laptops ready to go. He’s funny and kind and always takes his time with me. Don’t go to Staples or Best Buy: use this place for great results and a more-​than-​fair deal.

I have taken my work computer here in tears because I was having so many problems with it. I have a girl that I had been using to do most of my computer stuff. She kept telling me it was fine. I took it to him and he knew exactly what it was. He repaired it and advised me to get more memory, which I did. Wit h the memory upgrade my computer is REALLY working at it’s best.

Aim a customer since. 2004 and still getting help from Joseph, he is the solution for sick computer, great place to go always getting the best results

I have never left a review before but my experience with this company has definitely warranted my feedback for anyone else out there with computer issues.
I would have to say working with Joseph was like working with a Doctor but for computers.
My computer had been shutting off while running programs it had never had a problem with before. I have had this laptop for 3 years with no hiccups so it was a little scary. After troubleshooting and asking around the feedback from companies I researched wanted $ 200 which for me is not positive. I utilize my computer every day for business and projects so if it bit the dust I would have to listen to many violins playing sappy music over the next couple of months as I save for another laptop,
At first I thought my Sony Vio E Series was done for or it would take lots of money to fix which sure as heck is not in my budget right now with student loans and bills. As I was driving to get my haircut I saw his place and gave him a shot. I went in to check it out praying there might be some light at the end of the tunnel.
In a matter of seconds after describing what was going on he explained that it might just need to be cleaned… WHAT?!? I almost could not believe it. Everyone else wanted $ 200 up front to diagnose the problem and then fix it.
I was a little skeptical at first but I was so relieved at Josephs calm demeanor as he recommended I leave it there overnight. I felt like a weight was lifted off of my chest and now I could breathe. His prices are very reasonable and he was quick and direct with his diagnoses. I decided to give it a shot so I left my laptop with him overnight to pick it up the next day.
It has been a month and my laptop is running like its 1969. I have not had the issue since and my computer is now much quieter. Though my experience started off a little skeptical and grim I am so happy with the outcome and cannot thank this company enough for helping me save money, time, and stress. I am so glad I chose Computer Business Center.
Again Thank you Doc Joseph! I know where I will be coming for all my computer needs and also where my friends and family will go to. Have a great 2015

Joseph the owner and Mr. Fixit is a very knowledgeable and very helpful person. Have used him for all kinds of problems that popped up on my computers for a few years now and always got them fixed at a reasonable price. Also has a bunch of old parts he can supply you with at very reasonable prices IF that is your choice.

Joseph has built and taken care of all my computers since 1994. He also provides support for my laptops now. He is a master and I highly recommend him to anyone who wants a new computer built or computer repairs. He also transfers all my data to the new box seamlessly. This saves so much time since I do not need to back up my data and then upload it into a new box.
I think he can fix anything actually. He is also a very good person, honest and has very fair pricing. Finally, he is always available to support what he builds or repairs and it always a pleasure stopping in to see him.

As always Joseph to the rescue. I used to buy my computers used on Craigslist because it was cheap but with CBC I pay few bucks more instead I get the support.

I had only expert service from Joseph when he worked on my computers. In fact, he even retrieved an old Dell computer files when the Big Box Electronics store could not. I was so glad that he had retrieved it and very happy that I had saved the computer all these years. Figured that one of these day, some experienced tech could retrieve it.
He has always priced it for one price — its important prior to leaving your computer, is to make sure what the fixed price Joseph is going to charge, no matter how long it takes him to remove the virus — or at least a ball park price prior to you leaving it with him — or better yet, to ask him over the phone prior to coming over with your computer; and the date that he can get it done. Give him the price of the Big Box Electronics store or the Big Box Office supply store and he will be higher, but worth the price.
Also mark all your computer and cords with your name so that it does not get lost. Most of the time Joseph has the cord for the major computers he works on.
If you’re really nice, he will give «extra» service without any charge.
My friend and myself had two computers we bought on Saturday — the prior to Thanksgiving, and he has it ready for us on the following Saturday; you have to remember that Thursday was Thanksgiving and alot of businesses are closed on Friday — but he came in on Thanksgiving to work on our computers to get it ready by Saturday.

This business is closed, permanently. Wasn’t very good while it was open… :/

Joseph is a very knowledgeable computer person. I have purchased and have had CBC repair my Mac, Dell, HP and Toshiba Laptops/​PCs several times. I have been in the IT business myself for 20 years. He knows how to fix the easy stuff quickly and will work on the hard stuff until he gets it fixed. Always honest. Not sure whatever happend to the mighty Quinn. Joseph and CBC is the best!!!

I have asked Joseph — the owner of the shop many times for some hardware related issues and he was always ready to help. Be it connectors for video card, be it sudden shutdowns of the computer, and things turned out to be as he said.
Thank you Joseph.

I don’t usually write reviews but I feel a warning to potential customers here is important.
I would only bring your computer here if you are elderly or completely computer illiterate and need something VERY simple done and feel like being over-​charged to have nothing done at all.
I brought my computer in to have them clone my 128gig ssd to my new 256gig ssd drive. Simple enough — or so I thought. I was shocked when he told me it would be $ 150.00 for what would literally take about two hours. I got him down to $ 100.00 and even that was expensive. What made it even worse is that he was pretending like he was giving me a good deal and told me to be quite so the other employee wouldn’t hear «what a great deal» I was getting. This guy I was taling to was clearly the owner and the guy «he didn’t want to hear» was a technician and wearing headphones. Right away I knew he was trying to give me the run around. If this was my car this technique might have worked because I know nothing about cars! I do however know quite a bit about computers. He told me it would take three days — THREE DAYS to run a piece of software that would be finished and really do all the work for him in about two hours. I stupidly agreed to do it. He then told me they were very informal and to only write my first name and phone number on a torn sticky piece of paper. No invoice, no work order, no nothing, if he decided to steal my computer or simply not remember what was mine or lose that little one inch sticky piece of paper I would be out a computer.
Fast forward three days later– no phone call from him so I decide to go in and see what’s up. I ask when my computer will be ready — I see it sitting on the counter, the same place i left it. He tries giving me the run around again and I tell him I absolutely need it by tomorrow at 11am. He says that tomorrow he’s gonna be coming in late so he will work on it late tonight. He phrased in such a way where he was trying to make it seem as if he was doing me a favor. He also claimed to have worked on it and said the clone would not work and he would need to format the drive and install it that way which is not at all what I wanted/​needed I can do that myself. He didn’t even call me to tell me that or ask if it that was going to be okay. He was going to format both drives effectively screwing me over and losing all my files and programs. So I said thank you very much grabbed my computer and left.
A few hours later I have now done myself what he claimed was not possible in about an hours time.
So to recap I would say if you feel like dealing with a dishonest computer repair store who will give you the run around then please visit computer business center on pico in santa monica so you can get ripped off/​have your computer ruined.
The only thing these guys are good for is running Anti-​Virus softwear that you could run yourself. ZERO STARS.

Amateur kiddie operation…
Brought computer with virus. Guy says it’s done. I show him evidence of virus. He takes it back and promises to wipe all data then replace it on computer because he clearly doesn’t know how to remove a virus.
Then some important data was MISSING… it was on the DESKTOP and should have been totally obvious. He didn’ t save my bookmarks either and another computer guy said that he is NOT PROFESSIONAL IF HE DOES NOT DO THIS.
Price is reasonable but I still want my money back because he screwed up my information!
UPDATE: Shortly after I left this guy’s «repair shop», my computer started turning off. Spontaneously. Then it wouldn’t boot up AT ALL.
I had to spend $ 150 getting my data recovered from the now-​useless computer.
I called Joseph asking for a refund since he caused so many problems. Now he starts screeching like a high school cheerleader having PMS. Says something about how he only gets paid for «time» not expertise. Excuse me? if you are advertising repair, you better darn well know what you are doing if you are charging money. I understand that he spent time, but if he waas just monkeying around instead of actually fixing-​forget it.

I’m surprised to read the 1-​star review here and it does make me cautious about using them for anything Very Important.
I used them a few weeks ago for a virus removal. I can’t remember how much it was, just that it was cheaper than what the big-​box retailers were charging for service from their «geek squads».
They agreed on a fixed price, no matter how long it took them. They said if they couldn’t remove the virus without reformatting my hard drive, I would not be charged.
The virus was removed. None of my files were lost, they identified the virus, explained what they did to remove it, and installed new antivirus software.
Total wait time was 48 hours from drop off to pickup.
(Previously I had taken the laptop to a different outfit in Santa Monica, and they said that they would need to reformat the hard drive to remove the virus, for $ 200. How genius. My neighbor’s three year old could do that.)
Service was a little «haphazard». They reminded me of an indie film crew running behind schedule on a shoot, there was a ton of equipment moving back and forth, moderate to high levels of stress, and some tense exchanges between crew members. But shit got done. They «got the shot».
They also offered the following other services:
— RAM upgrade
— Operating system upgrade
— Back up files, re-​install applications (if you have the install CDs)
In general I got a feeling that they knew what they were doing despite being a bit disorganized.