Shipping

[Mithmeoi 29]

When we'll move back I need to ship a PC and possibly a few other larger things. I will not take the PC on the airlines, and I think that's even forbidden now.

So my question is, what would be the best way to ship it? I was thinking UPS but they are really expensive.

I've also considered taking it apart and just taking the important expensive parts and leaving the case. But again I don't really want to take those on the plane with me.

Edited July 19, 2010 by Mithmeoi

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

My husband packed the parts in those silver static bags and abandoned the case. He brought the computer parts on the plane. Then he bought a new case with power supply and had his computer up and running the day of arrival. His hard drive was important to him so he wanted it in his carry-on luggage. Curious why you don't want yours on the plane?

[Mithmeoi 29]

I don't like to carry a lot with me when I'm traveling. I usually just take a back pack and I don't like having to be searched all over when going through customs. I figure it's gonna be enough pain with my laptop, and putting it in checked is out of the question to me because it will most likely be broken in transit or stolen. I had a suitcase come back absolutely mauled once, not that the airlines cared.

I guess if he had no issues with them, I'll just pull it apart and put it in a carry on. If I don't have room I'll make my hubby carry it.

[Gingerpants 8]

We'll be in the same predicament once my Fiance's visa gets approved. His desktop is very big and heavy, and leaving the case behind isn't really an option since it was quite expensive. If you can, post here and let us know which method you decided to use and how it worked out for you.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

My husband's suggestion:

Empty the bits out of the case and take them on the plane to make sure you protect them instead of trust them to baggage handlers, shippers, etc. Use the empty case to pack other things inside like clothing or whatever. Ship or pack that however you like. Buy a power supply in the US. They are pretty standard. But he also says "expensive" case is pretty relative once something is 6 months old. Newer, cooler, less expensive things are probably already available and the trouble and cost of shipping the old case is just making it even more expensive. In the end he bought a brand new computer a month or so after being here....much better processor, more memory, more hard drive on sale for around $500 which is like 380 Euro?? maybe. Just wanted to give you our experience that after bringing the whole thing with him (except case), it got replaced quickly after all.

[K and L 27]

My (gamer) fiance just left it all, brought an external hard drive with his data & cds/dvds with his games and what not. So he sold his computer/monitor and we replaced his stuff with a significantly better laptop for what he got for the computer. Bringing the computer on the plane would have been $100 for excess baggage, $150ish for a new monitor, and because his power supply wasn't bi-voltage, we were looking at spending another $100 or so on a compatible power supply.

(However: he's from Brazil, where computer equipment is extraordinarily expensive - you can sell most things purchased here at 3x the cost of buying 'em here and still charge less than the store. And his computer was getting old anyway.)

[Gingerpants 8]

Yeah I guess I should have been more specific on "expensive." He bought his computer 6 months ago for about 3,000 Euro and he spent ages just picking out the ideal case for all the parts.

Nich-Nick - That's a good idea about removing the parts and packing the case with clothing and such.

Oh and he also has a 22"in monitor, some audio equipment, and two guitars. So I think we'll have no choice but to ship some stuff, I just don't know what the best and cheapest way would be.

[Darnell 8,478]

desktop computer? I usually wrap one in cardboard/hard styrofoam custom 'cage' , put in checked luggage. A packing company can make one for you, locally.

laptop? carry-on .

monitors/lcd's easily found in usa.

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in the end, though, if you really need to 'trim weight' - wei - take just the hard drives - gear in USA is really cheap.

Edited August 8, 2010 by Darnell