![]() ![]() Finally, I asked the technician to help me with a non-functioning iTunes installation, which, when run, displayed an error message to the effect that "Apple Application Support was not found." ![]() My second challenge was to have the support service set up a biometric heath-monitoring wristband device, the Polar Loop (Opens in a new window), which didn't have the necessary software installed. ![]() I reproduced the same set of problem software for each support vendor by re-imaging the PC using O&O DiskImage 8 (Opens in a new window). In all, there were 15 undesirable programs for the support service to remove-including one that couldn't be removed via the Control Panel. My PC was so handicapped by browser and search "helpers" and driver and install "protectors" that I could barely use it. This system-slowing " grayware (Opens in a new window)" is one of the most common problems non-technical friends bring to me. I loaded a Windows 8.1 laptop with rogue system-protection software and reported slow operation to the support service. The first test, malware cleanup, was the most difficult. This let me not only see how the service handled different kinds of problems, but it also gave me experience with several technicians for each. My test plan for testing consumer tech-support services involved at least three separate support sessions in which I challenged the service with problems of decreasing difficulty. So if what you're looking for is long-term protection, Geek Squad is cheapest in the end. iYogi costs $179.99 per year with no setup fee, but it doesn't include security software. For similar service, costs $34.99 per month with a $99.99 setup charge, or $519.87 the first year and $419.88 in subsequent years. It tallies up to $219.87 the first year and $119.88 per year thereafter. A $9.99-per-month subscription service (with a $99.99 initial fee) is also an excellent value. One-time online support is Geek Squad's least expensive option, starting at $49.99 for a PC tune-up service (you'd pay $99.99 for this in the store). Geek Squad technicians, on the whole, delivered the best results among the services tested, and they didn't pester me to purchase additional products. It's also the least-expensive service I've tested and includes a license for top-notch security software. Geek Squad is also arguably the most polished computer-help service, offering not only online help, but in-store and at-home repair services, too. ![]() The most famous consumer tech-support service is undoubtedly Best Buy's Geek Squad.
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