PowerBook issues? It's nice to show it to a real person and explain what is going on, and have an expert do an initial diagnosis so you know what to expect while it's fixed. The Apple Store on Prince Street offers this service and does it well.

You walk up the stairs and make a left to the "Genius Bar." There, you wait in line (benches are available for sitting; a free hot spot is available for surfing) until you are sent to the next available "Genius." There are designated iPod Geniuses and standard Macintosh Geniuses.

I was able to go through each of the non-urgent but nonetheless irritating problems and create a case number and explanation in my record, so that when I finally do send it in, that's all done.

That said, the general market for Macintosh repair service in New York City seems flawed. The leading service centers, Digital Society and Tekserve, both look at you like you're absolutely out of your mind if you want your machine fixed in less than ten days.

The Apple Store is less pompous and more pleasant. It seems like the best first stop from now on.