Computer Stop – North Seattle

Kinda what Ray-​diddio Shack used to be, staffed by wannabe «hardcore» geeks who will try to speak quickly and aggressively enough to convince you that they remember the original Windows launch. Actually, no one on staff was born then, but (as old guys are prone to do) I digress.
Once you get past the adolescent chest thumping, their sales guys are helpful at about a 50% hit rate. Unfortunately, once you factor in taking back «solutions» that didn’t work as hoped, the hit rate for actual hardware purchases hovers around 20%. That said, prices are reasonable and I’ve never had one of their guys intentionally misrepresent anything. That is not the same as «never been wrong,» but speaks well to honest merchandising.
We may try picking up a system here at some point, as the prices are manageable. I do worry about warranty coverage from such a small outlet, of course, but the prices are solid. For widgety bits like drive caddies, cords, and adapters, their «convenience cost» increment above Amazon, NewEgg, et al is moderate, especially considering the joy and occasional necessity of instant gratification.
As a side note, their «mother ship» is HDNW, from which I’ve been buying HDDs for years without a single disappointment.

Excellent customer service! Very helpful and knowledgeable. I bought a new machine last week and after a couple days a fan started making noise. They put it on the bench for 15 minutes and, of course, no noise. After telling them how I troubleshot it, and that I thought it was the power supply fan, they changed it out right then without hesitation.
I never give 5 stars but this is the closest I’ve been to doing so.
P. S. It was the PS making noise. Thanks Guys!

These guys don’t mess around. They are a bit rough around the edges, meaning they are not fluffy and won’t coddle you, but they are honest, and they are direct, and I respect that. They were more than patient in helping me to find the exact PCI (express) video card that I needed, since my motherboard VGA adapter finally snapped off (after five years). $ 47 for a new video adapter (nVidia GeoForce 8400GS) beats $ 350 or more for a new computer (which I know is due sometime in the near future, but not today).
I also bought a replacement hard drive here about two years ago for $ 40 (250GB) that is running better than the OEM hard drive. So it’s a great place – and just about the only computer place in the north end – that sells parts for PC’s. Those small companies listed in the phone book, and even online, are gone, including the one on 15^th Ave. NE (Micro) and the one on NW 80^th St at 24^th Ave. NW.
So I will just go to Computer Stop for parts and not look all over the city, until I can get my new computer.

Usually my first and last stop for computer needs. Have bought three complete ‘budget-​minded’ systems over the years, monitors, memory, all kinds of stuff. Don’t pay a premium price for ‘name brand’ units, get yours custom made here.

In terms of computer parts, this place has enough for a pinch, from motherboards to obscure cable adaptors. Clerks are friendly and knowledgeable enough for parts sales (I can’t speak to repairs). Prices aren’t as hot as Fry’s or Newegg, but again, this is the place you go when you need a part right away.
But my review is tainted by my 2^nd – and final – trip to Computer Stop. I had been in the store the day prior and came back to return a faulty part. The clerk immediately recognized me and said she’d hold the returned part while I looked for something to replace it with. I realized I didn’t have the receipt and said so, but she waved me on into the store.
Before processing the return, she called the manager over, who flatly said, «I can’t take this without a receipt.» After gesturing to the clerk who said I’d been in yesterday, he still refused. After some (admitted) pouting, I then said, «Just so you know, I’m going to go online and tell people exactly what happened and that you don’t take care of customers.» His eyes went wide, and he stared me down and said, «Don’t you threaten me! Don’t threaten me in my own store!»
I was taken aback, and immediately responded, «I don’t think telling people about my shopping experience counts as a threat.» I then added that I’d rather not bus-​and-​bike to my house and back when it’s obvious that I got it from his store a day earlier. He then went ahead and let me exchange after all, asking that I keep the receipt this time. The friendly clerk stood there in silence, as if this was all too familiar an event.
At the end, she asked if I wanted a bag. I have my own, I replied. The manager then quipped, «because you have a bike,» smiling weirdly at me.
Incredibly uncomfortable experience. I don’t think I did wrong by telling him directly that I’d be writing about my shopping, and while I appreciated the refund, $ 15 wasn’t worth that experience.

Purchased a custom pc for gaming over the past weekend. The 4 guys working there were awesome. Patient in answering my questions, assisting in helping me find the best components for my machine, and good company as I waited on the computer to be setup. I didn’t expect to find a local place that could accommodate the specs I wanted in my machine especially in such a short amount of time. Computer stop will definitely be getting more of my service in the future vs purchasing online.
Thanks guys

I bought a custom-​built computer here a couple years ago and just went in today to upgrade a few parts. The designated tech guy was not even scheduled, but instead of telling me to come back tomorrow, one of the other highly knowledgeable employees was able to bring my computer back to the tech department. He literally worked on my computer for about 3 hours free of charge because one of the parts I had purchased was not performing as expected. He tried several alternatives and was very patient and seemed genuinely concerned with my computer’s issues. I really appreciate the employees going out on a limb to help you and not looking at you with dollar signs in their eyes, which is what I feel the more corporate computer people tend to do. The Computer Stop staff are also very adept at answering questions and they don’t make you feel like a bonehead if you are computer-​illiterate like me. Highly recommended!

Being a computer consultant/​technician, I need to get quality parts and sometimes that means «I need them yesterday». Especially when my client is a business. In the past couple of months I’ve needed a replacement IDE hard disk (hard to find anymore), an Intel socket 775 motherboard, a 430W power supply and a 24″ HD monitor among other things. Well, this small store had everything I needed for those clients and they carry good quality components. I’ve never had to have anything repaired there but they do have a bring-​in repair service. They even have some handy tools. I purchased a USB2 to SATA/​IDE adapter there and quickly found out it’s a handy tool to have in my kit both for data backup and transfer purposes.
Bottom line: Whether you are a tech or not, Computer Stop is worth checking out. Their staff are knowledgeable, their parts are of good quality, reasonably priced and Computer Stop has great sales when they have them. You can even buy complete Desktop and laptop systems there. So check them out.

Unlike the Bellevue branch, this Computerstop seems less pushy, people weren’t constantly asking me if I needed something in the hopes that I’d drive up their sales numbers. Mainly though, I remember one night I desperately needed a power cable for a video card I had just purchased. I drove up to the store 5 minutes after closing as the guy literally was standing by the door ready to close. I went inside and said «I know what I need, PLEASE don’t say you’re closed!» Well, they had the part and they didn’t close up shop on me so that’s worth an extra star I think.
Inventory is about what you’d expect, they’ve got mostly the latest motherboards and CPUs, a few older and clearance items. The prices are about what I’d expect to pay for parts locally. The staff at this location seem to be more knowledgeable about computers than their Bellevue counterparts. Overall, if you need a part right now, this is a good way to go.

I go to Computerstop when I need that semi-​obscure part for my computer. Their prices are par for the area, you’ll save more dough shopping online, but if you can’t wait, give them a shot. They have pretty much everything the bigger chain stores have, but their niche is in the computer enthusiast crowd which means they even carry the lesser known brands of performance hardware for your computer.
If you want to customize and ‘mod your rig’ this is the place to go first. Get schooled on computer geekdom from the knowledgeable staff.

If you’ve been to the Computer Stop in Bellevue (on twentieth) then this location may surprise you. It is not nearly as polished as the Bellevue location (which has checkout lines, isles and almost feels like a grocier, for better and for worse).
I was surprised that their in-​store stock was notably limited and their marked prices were a bit higher than their Bellevue location — although they will match prices from the other store or their website. I also got the sense that they were more willing to negotiate than their Bellevue branch.
Personally, I liked this location better than Bellevue — it was more casual and reminded me a lot of the hobbiest computer stores you could find during the eighties. But I’m a geek. If you want a better selection, less haggling and a more professional experience you should definitely not come here.