Bringing computer and harddrives to America

[Darnell 8,479]

Mac Mini, you say? Get to yer local Apple Store or Best Buy , purchase the right cord with 120V power thingie.

No worries.

as to your 'digital life' being stored - wei - back up all to DVD, you have a few weeks. Should keep you busy, also.

[Moomin 292]

Just wrap it up in some anti-static plastic and you're good to go. I brought my monster of a desktop computer including a 24 inch monitor. My primary harddrive was with me in the carry-on. Had no problems whatsoever and everything was intact when hooking it up. Just took a while to essemble.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Mr. Borkstrom.

1. You need a cord with the right holes.

2. Your computer needs an adaptor/converter to the right electrical current... but guess what, it already has one!! The cord might have a box on it, does it? That is a converter/adaptor that makes the right electrical current and prevents surges etc from going to your computer.

Some cords have two parts... you can separate the cord at the box part, but is it a new macmini? It might be a single unit and you need a new cord.

To start out though, you can just get an adaptor - you plug in your holes into a small plug thing that has US plus shape on the other side. I promise your mac will not fry.

[hikergirl 277]

My link

Hubby recommended the above for you.

Best of luck on your POE!

[dave97232 12]

Thanks. That's a good idea. I'll post the same question in the Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia) sub forum.

I was mostly worried about the data on the computer and the harddrive would get erased or something. I've got my whole digital life on there; video clips I've shot the last 5+ years from my being an assistant coach for a floorball team, still photos from the last 9 years, music, expensive programs that I don't think I will ever be able to afford to buy again...

Oh I would definitely back all that stuff up! Regardless of what customs does, you could drop it, or.....

I've heard that they could seize your computer, even US citizens, but I've carried laptops in and out countless times without any problems.

[djamella 5]

I have a Mac Mini, so it's defifintely small enough to fit in my backpack.

I have been told that my European computer will work with the American power grid.

Thanks for the input btw. I appreciate it.

That is not a problem at all, I took my iMac, the big one, a year ago as carry on. When I was there as a tourist lol

They just called me into a room with other people bringing their big computers, cause they check on them seperately sometimes.

So maybe the waiting time at security is longer, but maybe you are lucky too ;-)!

[Alaska2012 462]

I brought my laptop plus an external hard drive in my carry on, nothing got erased. The apple store will hook you up with cords and what not, if you need to convert stromstyrkan, then best buy got good prices on stuff for that or, radio shak they are like the American version of teknikmagasinet!

[Mr. Borkström 63]

Thanks everyone for all the great input.

[Aschenbecher 16]

Just wrap it up in some anti-static plastic and you're good to go. I brought my monster of a desktop computer including a 24 inch monitor. My primary harddrive was with me in the carry-on. Had no problems whatsoever and everything was intact when hooking it up. Just took a while to essemble.

I have a 24" screen also. How did you pack yours. any advice ?