[ben1040]

I've had much better luck taking my computers to an indie Apple certified shop in town. I can drop the computer off with the friendly receptionist and go back to work, and their tech calls me back later to tell me what's wrong and get me to authorize a repair. Then I go and pick it up without having to wander through a shopping mall. Warranty work gets billed back to Apple so I don't pay. The service has typically been better, it keeps money in my community, and best of all I don't have to make an "appointment" only to still have to wait around 15-30 minutes. Everyone wins.

Something about the Genius Bar concept rubs me the wrong way. They really seem to try too hard to be that hip friend of yours who "knows computers." Maybe that helps take the edge off the experience for some people, but I'm not there to stand around and make friends, I'm there to get my stuff fixed with as little trouble on my part as is possible.