Downtown business repairs Apple products for less

We’ve all been there: dropping our iPod in the toilet, watching our phone tumble down a mountain of stairs only to find that the screen has been split in half, or spotting our friend spill his extra large cup of coffee on top of our cherished laptop. In a generation where almost all communication and productivity seem to be derived from technology, these atrocities appear to be life-altering to the victim, unthinkable and too horrible to be true.


But yes, these crimes against humanity do happen, and although the hopelessness will still ring in your ears and shake you to the core, there is a new business in downtown Durham — the only one of its kind — that fights against these evils, while also offering low and affordable prices that won’t also empty your wallet: Tech Repair Services, Durham.  

TRS is located at 4A Jenkins Court and specializes in fixing Apple products, but can fix anything from various smartphones to gaming systems.


The trio of co-owners, Khoa Cao, Tao Pham and Hung Cao, who are all UNH graduates, understand the need for immediate repair in the age of fast and instant technology. They also understand the unreasonable prices typically associated with repairs and replacements, so all UNH students automatically get 20 percent off all repairs.


“We all use smartphones,” Khoa Cao said. “And it’s pretty expensive to buy a new one.”

An iPhone repair can cost up between $100-$200, even with an insurance plan, and a new iPhone, without a cellphone contract or insurance plan, can cost between $200-$300. TRS repairs a multitude of damages, such as broken screens, water damage and software malfunctions, and is cheaper than most competitive retailers.


A UNH student that went to TRS received a quote from Apple about the repair of their damaged phone and Apple informed the student the cost would be close to $200. The student, baffled with the high price, went to TRS and was thrilled to hear they could fix it for $70, with the UNH student discount applied.


Laptop repairs are even more costly. The UNH bookstore fixes a cracked MacBook screen for $300. TRS repairs it for $120.


“As an undergrad, I was a brother at Pike and everyone broke their laptops,” Pham said. “To help my friends out and make a little money on the side, I repaired all of their stuff. I understand how hard it can be to deal with broken laptops and phones.”

TRS also helps students bring their smartphones with them when they study abroad. TRS transforms student’s phones to world phones, and does so affordably.


The guys at TRS said they are confident they can fix any of your damaged technology and do it at a low price. “The info’s out there,” Hung Cao said. “We can fix anything.”