Throw in some in-home support to fix whatever problems ail your PC and it will cost you $179. If you just want phone support for the computer, it will cost $69.

Consumer Reports tells you where to go for for computer tech support. We surveyed more than 3,200 computer owners to see which computer companies have the best—and worst—tech support.

But no matter what company your computer is from, there are a few ways to get the most out of your tech support experience. First, make sure you know exactly what kind of support you're entitled to.

If you work from home, having go-to tech support is valuable. When you are self-employed like me—it is vital. If I can’t work, I don’t get paid.

Customers can purchase tech support and device protection when they buy a new computer at Staples. They can also add support and protection to a device they already own. The lowest tier costs $199.99.

When it comes to computer tech support, Apple and its stores get top marks from our readers. Still, Apple isn’t perfect and is not without its own horror stories, though they are fewer than the ...

For in-store tech support, the Apple Store’s Genius Bar was also tops but was matched by independent local computer retailers. Both got an 81 in our reader survey.

Being tech-savvy is a gift and a curse. When you know how to fix computers, you become "the computer person" for everyone you know. However, you can’t always troubleshoot in person.