Welcome to Computer Buddies

Computer Repair for home users
Proactive IT Support for Freelancers, Small Business & the Self Employed

Call us on 01244478889

Refurbished laptops available weekdays from 9am

Based in Hoole, Chester, we support your technical life.

We provide IT support, computer repairs, and honest advice for home users, freelancers, and small businesses. Visit our modern workshop in Hoole, Chester, just across from our original shop.

Part of the Hoole community since 2015 and serving Cheshire since 2009, we have the experience, skills, and qualifications to get your tech working properly again. We explain things clearly, answer questions in plain English, and offer practical solutions that make sense.

If you’re looking for reputable IT support and computer repairs near you, we’re here to help.

We offer clear, fixed-price computer repair services from just £29. Whether you need a password reset, a full system reinstall, virus removal, or advanced data recovery, we’ve got a pricing tier to match your issue, with no hidden charges.

All hardware repairs come with a 1-year warranty, and software repairs are covered for 30 days. We support home users, freelancers, and small businesses across Chester and the wider Cheshire area, offering friendly service, clear pricing, and decades of hands-on experience.

IT Help in Chester has never been so easy to access. 

If your laptop screen is cracked, flickering or showing no picture, bring it in for us to take a look. We’ll likely need to book it in to assess the fault properly and check the screen model.

We’ll quote once we’ve confirmed what parts are needed and sourced the right screen for your device.

If your trackpad or mouse is playing up, pop in and we’ll take a quick look. We may need to book it in to check if something’s come loose underneath or if it needs replacing.

We’ll be able to quote for the repair once we’ve assessed the fault and looked into the cost of any parts needed.

If your laptop lid feels loose, stiff or isn’t closing properly, it might look like a hinge issue — but it’s not always the hinge itself. Sometimes the plastic inside the lid where the hinge screws attach has broken away.

Bring it in for a look. We’ll usually need to book it in to check what’s actually failed and whether it’s the hinge, the lid casing, or both. We’ll quote once we’ve assessed it and priced up the parts needed.

If your laptop keyboard has stopped responding, has stuck keys, or types the wrong letters, bring it in for us to check over.

We’ll likely need to book it in to test whether it’s a keyboard fault, a software issue, or a deeper problem with the motherboard.

We’ll give you a quote once we’ve diagnosed the fault and checked the cost of any replacement parts.

We can replace almost any laptop battery, including MacBooks and Windows laptops. In some cases, we’ll need to open the device to get the battery model code before we can quote accurately.

If you’re emailing for a quote, include the serial number or product ID to speed things up.

No hidden surprises, our most popular repairs & services

where to find us

Laptop & PC Repairs

All major brands repaired, fast and affordably.

We fix Dell, HP, Lenovo, Acer, Asus, and more. Common issues include:

  • No power or not turning on

  • Cracked screens or broken hinges

  • Slow performance or freezing

You’ll get a clear diagnosis, upfront pricing, and a reliable fix from a technician you can speak to in plain English.

MacBook & iMac Repairs

Apple-trained, no jargon. Just fixes.

We offer full repairs for:

  • MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, and Mac Mini

  • macOS bugs, startup problems, and file recovery

  • Liquid damage, overheating, or fans running constantly

We also do SSD upgrades and RAM installs to give old Macs a new lease of life.

Business Laptop Support

Reliable repairs for workhorse devices.

We specialise in fixing:

  • Lenovo ThinkPad, Dell Latitude, HP EliteBook, and similar

  • Devices stuck on Windows updates

  • Broken keyboards, failing hard drives, or low memory

We offer SSD upgrades, system refreshes, and data transfers—with fast turnaround for business users.

Full System Diagnostics

Not sure what’s wrong? We’ll find out properly.

We use industry-standard tools on every repair, including:

  • PC-Doctor – professional-grade diagnostics used by OEMs like Dell and Lenovo, giving in-depth results on RAM, CPU, storage, motherboard, and system health.

  • PC-Check – runs both inside Windows and outside via UEFI, letting us test devices even if they won’t boot. It catches faults that basic software can’t.

If your Lenovo freezes, your HP overheats, or your Acer crashes randomly, we’ll pinpoint the fault—hardware or software—and give you a straight answer with a repair plan.

Best Computer repair in Chester

introducing

I.T Assist I.T Support for Small Business, Self Employed & Freelancers

What is it?

I.T. Assist is a flexible I.T. advice & support service designed to provide expert help whenever you need it. Whether it’s a one-off issue or ongoing support, we ensure your tech runs smoothly without the cost of an in-house team.

Who's it for?

I.T. Assist is ideal for freelancers, start-ups, small businesses, and self-employed professionals looking for reliable tech support. Whether you’re just starting out or need help managing your business I.T., we’re here to assist.

How it works?

Simply choose between pay-as-you-go support or one of our tiered monthly plans. We offer remote assistance, tech advice, and on-the-spot troubleshooting to help resolve your I.T. challenges quickly and efficiently.

What to do next.

Get in touch with us today to discuss your I.T. needs and find out which support plan works best for you. We’re ready to help you get started with a smooth and stress-free experience!

FAQ

Most diagnostics are completed within 24 to 48 hours.

If it’s something straightforward (slow laptop, software issue, basic hardware fault), it can often be diagnosed the same day.

If it needs deeper testing (intermittent faults, overheating, storage issues, random shutdowns), it can take 2 to 3 working days, depending on how long we need to run it under load.

We’ll always update you if it’s taking longer than expected.

No appointment is needed. We’re a high street repair shop, so you can simply pop in during opening hours.

We work on a walk-in basis, which means you can drop your device off whenever it suits you. If we’re busy when you arrive, we’ll still book it in and keep you updated throughout the process.

We don’t currently offer a recycling service in-store.

If you need to dispose of old IT equipment, we recommend using your local council recycling centre or an approved WEEE recycling provider to make sure it’s handled safely and legally.

We don’t buy second-hand computers or laptops.

If you’re replacing a device, we can still advise you on the best upgrade options, and we’re happy to help transfer your data from your old machine to your new one.

We don’t currently carry out hardware repairs on tablets, iPads, or mobile phones.

However, we do offer software support for these devices.

If you need a hardware repair, we can recommend trusted local specialists. Just pop in or give us a call and we’ll point you in the right direction.

We don’t currently repair or service printers.

We can help with printer setup on a wired connection in-store, but we don’t offer Wi-Fi printer setup or home visits.

If you need someone to visit your home or business to resolve printer or Wi-Fi issues, we can recommend a trusted local specialist.

In most cases, your files will remain safe and nothing will be deleted.

However, it’s important to understand that any repair or diagnostic work carries some risk, especially if your hard drive or operating system is already failing. Sometimes faults get worse without warning, and data can become inaccessible.

For that reason, it is always your responsibility to have a backup of your important files before any work is carried out.

If we believe your data is at risk, we’ll let you know and recommend a backup or data recovery option before proceeding.

We don’t offer a call-out service.

However, we can recommend trusted local specialists who can visit homes and businesses if needed.

We may also be able to offer remote support in some cases, but availability is limited unless you are subscribed to our I.T Assist service.