Computers and the Internet have become a part of every day life. We have come to rely on them to provide us with instant information on everything from the latest news to getting pictures of a new grandson 500 miles away.But like every piece of mechanical equipment, they can get sick. That’s when it’s time to call for help.
Matt Walz is the man to call in Jacksonville. He’s the owner of Matt’s Computers and Wi-Fi Lounge at 1590 Pelham Road South.
“First and foremost I am a computer repair and computer building shop,” he said. “I repair people’s computers for anything from hardware problems to viruses … just about any problem that might come up on their computer.
“I repair both laptops and desktops, and we pride ourselves in our ability to repair anything that comes through our door if you want to pay for it because sometimes it’s just not economical to repair a machine.”
Matt’s Computers will also build a desktop to you specifications. However, they will not build a laptop.
“We are limited to desktops and servers,” Walz said. “The reason is that laptops are built specific to manufacturers’ parts. So we can’t custom build laptops. But we can do consulting on laptops, and we can repair laptops. You come in and tell us what you need, and we will recommend which laptop would be best for you.”
Matt’s Computers also provides other services that few computer repair shops offer.
If you need a house call, Matt or one of his technicians will do it.
“I do make limited house calls now,” Walz said. “I schedule those once every two weeks, but you have to make an appointment.”
However, he plans to expand that service.
“We are currently having growing pain struggles,” he said. “We are planning to hire more technicians and make sure those technicians uphold the same standards I uphold.
“We want the ability to reach more of Calhoun County whether it be by going to a business or residence and repairing the computer there or picking it up and bringing it back to the shop to be repaired.”
Walz said it was much like the service offered by the Geek Squad, only more personal.
“We do pride ourselves on the fact that our average turnaround is three to four business days,” he said. “That’s a completely crashed computer. We also have the ability — most of time — to save data like pictures, documents and e-mails … anything you’ve been working on.
“Somebody may have two years of work on a computer and no backup. If you send that off to a manufacturer most of the time they are going to wipe that hard drive clean before they send it back and you’ve lost everything.
“Our first step is to attempt to go in there and save that material. A lot of times it’s possible to save that material, sometimes it’s not, but we make that attempt.”
Another thing that makes Matt’s Computers unique is his wi-fi lounge.
“Wi-fi is an Internet wireless point that allows my patrons to come in with their laptops and sit in our lobby, have coffee, listen to music, relax and be on Internet with no fee,” he said. “If you don’t have a computer we will provide one for $5 an hour. You can also do printing for 20 cents a print.”
Walz wants to make sure his business is not mistaken for the Internet Sweepstakes parlors that opened up last year. Those allowed customers to gamble on the Internet.
“We do not allow on-line gambling here, and we’re not a gambling facility,” he said. “We will not put up with it in any shape or form.
“We have a family environment. We may have a family in here and have somebody else and that person is on Internet doing something that’s not family oriented. I will ask them to leave. I’m then able to block their computer from my Internet connection.”
Walz’ Internet lounge is different from most in that it is free. He said most lounges offer the Internet for $5 per half-hour or a person can buy a four-hour block for $30.
Matt said something he expects to do this year is to provide computer classes.
“We are looking at opening a class once week that’s two hours long,” he said. “We would charge $20 per person and limit the class to 10 people. It would basically be a discussion class where they will ask me questions. Everybody will get a topic, and we will cover that topic or until two hours are up.”
Walz said it would also be a hands-on class where a computer will be set up.
“I think people can often understand better if they work through a situation on the computer,” he said.
Walz said one of his strong points is his ability to put computer problems in plain English.
“If you are not a computer whiz you will understand what’s going on when you bring your computer to me,” he said.
While much of his business concerns repairs, he does sell new and refurbished computers.
“We have a long waiting list for used computers,” he said “When I built a used computers I built it from used part. But I test every component for reliability and durability. I stand behind my products.
“When I build a new computer everything part has the manufacture’s warranty. So if you have problems bring it back to me and I will replace it and deal with the manufacturer.”
He also sells printers, scanners, keyboards, mouse, external hard drives in addition to the most popular software.
“Most of those things are in the shop, but if we don’t have it we can order it,” he said. “We do sell software like Microsoft Office, which is very popular, and all anti-virus software,” he said.
And for the purchase price he will also install it on your computer.
He will also do networking.
“One of the biggest problems we face is setting up secure wireless networks,” he said. “According to many computer experts the No.1 cause for identity theft is not having the adequate protection from viruses and spyware.
You also need to have a secure wireless network because your neighbor is close enough to your house he can look at your network.”
Walz said a typical wireless router transmits 100 yards.
“We can come to your house or business and make that wireless connection secure,” he said.
Matt’s Computers and Wi-Fi Lounge is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“If I’m needed on Saturday I will make emergency calls,” he said. “Saturdays do come with a higher price but if it’s a dire emergency I will make a visit.”
