I apologize if this topic is in the wrong place.
I have a question that's been bugging me for a while. I want to transport my desktop on an airplane.
has anyone previously done this?
I am planning on moving to Japan in the next four years and I rather not leave my desktop.
I'm sure if you can find a suitcase you can fit it in, and just remove any heavy components from inside like PCI-E devices, and put them in something else, you could transport it without much issue, though you'd get some funny looks when it goes through scanners.
I've never flown, so I don't know much, but I'd assume doing something like that, would work.
Or you could ship your PC via Fedex or someone like that to your address there.
it may be an issue with security....laptops are fine, but a full desktop could be an issue. I think you best bet will be to ship FexEx/DHL/UPS
if i were you i'd probably remove the Massive CPU heatsink if you have one and remove the GPU. if you were shipping your desktop.
I wouldn't trust the luggage carriers of an airport with my Desktop. At the very least the case will probably be damaged. You are better off shipping it.
I would ship it UPS or Fedex. They will be cheaper, probably treat your box better than the airport treats luggage, you won't have to deal with moving it yourself, and airlines lose luggage a lot. I would go as far as to remove everything. take out the gpu, the cpu heatsink, take out your hdds, even remove the motherboard. Wrap them up in bubble wrap and packing foam and secure them all individually. UPS/FedEx WILL throw your computer's box, they WILL drop it from 5 feet in the air, WILL throw it into a truck unsecured. Even a drop can crack your mobo if it hits wrong. It's probably a bit extreme, but UPS and Fedex won't replace your expensive computer parts after they break them.
I hope you have a mini-itx system, Apartments in Japan are tiny, especially in cities.
I would just sell off the desktop and buy a 19" workstation laptop.
Thanks a lot everyone, I'll be putting my desktop with UPS or FedEx.
Trust me, I will wrap up my items from the desktop with lots of bubble wrap.
Honestly, I would just ship it. To save on cost you might even want to just ditch the case and ship the components and when you're in Japan order a new (smaller) case. Best of luck on your travels!
thanks
Use foam and send it over by mail.
The only thing you should really remove from the case is the cooler as they aren't held too tightly. GPU's and all that don't have that issue.
Don't take it with you as luggage as they just manhandle it