How did you transport your PC tower?

[EandS2019 389]

Hi guys, for those of you who did, how did you transport your PC tower to the US? I've read about people taking them as carry-on and that's just not an option for me, I just wont be able to carry it around 😂 good on those who can though. I wouldn't trust sending it via checked luggage, and the quote I got from a postage company was over $500. Am I doing something wrong here? Or is that actually how much it costs to send a 5kg PC tower? Worst case scenario I'll just go the expensive shipping but I am seeking advice here to try and avoid this. What companies did you use? How much was it?

 

Thanks!

[millefleur 5,046]

@Ethan & Shannon Would you mind if I moved this post to the Moving to the US and Your New Life In America forum? It's a great question and I think others would be interested in the thread.

[Roel 7,192]

1. Sell your PC  

2. Move to the US. 

3. Buy a new PC and avoid hustle with different voltage/plugs issues or local software not working on foreign PC. 

 

😛

(Good PCs aren't that expensive in the US imo) 

Edited February 21, 2019 by Roel

[Foma_ATK 13]

Chances are that your PC is worth far less than it costs to ship it.  What's important is the information on your PC, and that can be taken home much easier. 

 

I recommend either using an online cloud backup service to make a copy of all your data you can download to a new PC at home, or removing the hard drive from inside your computer which has all your information.  You can take that hard drive to a PC-savvy friend or shop and have the information put on your new computer.  That hard drive will be the same size and weight as a small hard cover book, so much easier to transport!

[EandS2019 389]

43 minutes ago, Foma_ATK said:

Chances are that your PC is worth far less than it costs to ship it.  What's important is the information on your PC, and that can be taken home much easier. 

 

I recommend either using an online cloud backup service to make a copy of all your data you can download to a new PC at home, or removing the hard drive from inside your computer which has all your information.  You can take that hard drive to a PC-savvy friend or shop and have the information put on your new computer.  That hard drive will be the same size and weight as a small hard cover book, so much easier to transport!

I think it's an attachment issue 🤣 I spent $3000 (AUD) on it and I guess I just don't want to let it go. But you're right, it'll definitely not sell for that price and it is time to back everything up and start fresh. (It's outdated, if it was a recent build it would be worth shipping).

 

1 hour ago, Roel said:

1. Sell your PC  

2. Move to the US. 

3. Buy a new PC and avoid hustle with different voltage/plugs issues or local software not working on foreign PC. 

 

😛

(Good PCs aren't that expensive in the US imo) 

After looking at prices, it actually isn't bad!

 

1 hour ago, millefleur said:

@Ethan & Shannon Would you mind if I moved this post to the Moving to the US and Your New Life In America forum? It's a great question and I think others would be interested in the thread.

No problem at all @millefleur

 

 

Thanks @Foma_ATK and @Roel
 

The decision has been made, I'll take certain components with me and build a new one in the US . Another thing to look forward to.

Edited February 21, 2019 by Ethan & Shannon

[millefleur 5,046]

**Moved from the Australia and New Zealand regional subform to Moving to the US and Your New Life In America; others may have advice about how to transport computer components safely to the US**

[SunflowerHoneybee 19]

I'm in the same boat, I'll probably salvage my gfx card and hard drives and rebuild in the states. Luckily i do have a powerful laptop for the interim.
I doubt i'll find a buyer for any of my stuff. I have old packaging so i may throw it in that in the bottom of one of my checked luggage.

[Lil bear 4,201]

17 hours ago, Ethan & Shannon said:

Hi guys, for those of you who did, how did you transport your PC tower to the US? I've read about people taking them as carry-on and that's just not an option for me, I just wont be able to carry it around 😂 good on those who can though. I wouldn't trust sending it via checked luggage, and the quote I got from a postage company was over $500. Am I doing something wrong here? Or is that actually how much it costs to send a 5kg PC tower? Worst case scenario I'll just go the expensive shipping but I am seeking advice here to try and avoid this. What companies did you use? How much was it?

 

Thanks!

 Buying a solid travel case and paying for extra piece of luggage on your trip would be my choice. Packing it correctly would cover 95% of the challenges to checked luggage and be very affordable condsidering  the other options  

[David and Nicole 10]

Hey guys,

 

So exciting to be planning our trips!!!

 

Not sure where you are flying to. I am flying Brisbane to LAX, and Hawaii Air have tickets which include 2 checked bags of 23kg each.

I am taking some electronics over with me. A few things I have done to help it fit:

 

- Put the electronics in the centre of the your checked bag and surround in your clothes for protection.

- Buy a really light suitcase to allow for more weight in your checked bags.

 

And if you fill your checked bags up then it usually only costs about $70 for an additional.

[EandS2019 389]

6 hours ago, David and Nicole said:

Hey guys,

 

So exciting to be planning our trips!!!

 

Not sure where you are flying to. I am flying Brisbane to LAX, and Hawaii Air have tickets which include 2 checked bags of 23kg each.

I am taking some electronics over with me. A few things I have done to help it fit:

 

- Put the electronics in the centre of the your checked bag and surround in your clothes for protection.

- Buy a really light suitcase to allow for more weight in your checked bags.

 

And if you fill your checked bags up then it usually only costs about $70 for an additional.

I know!!! It’s so close to the end of this horrible distance. 

 

Thanks for letting me know about that deal and for the tips! I usually fly Brisbane to Vancouver to O’hare but I’ll have a look into those just in case I can find something cheaper with more luggage allowance.

 

 

[Lil bear 4,201]

12 minutes ago, Ethan & Shannon said:

I know!!! It’s so close to the end of this horrible distance. 

 

Thanks for letting me know about that deal and for the tips! I usually fly Brisbane to Vancouver to O’hare but I’ll have a look into those just in case I can find something cheaper with more luggage allowance.

 

 

Qantas has some very good prices if you hub through San Francisco. 

[Lil bear 4,201]

13 minutes ago, Ethan & Shannon said:

I know!!! It’s so close to the end of this horrible distance. 

 

Thanks for letting me know about that deal and for the tips! I usually fly Brisbane to Vancouver to O’hare but I’ll have a look into those just in case I can find something cheaper with more luggage allowance.

 

 

Big W and Kmart have good light but large roller cases around $35... for a single use it’s pretty good and much lighter than many of the better quality ones. 

Qantas still includes luggage. Have flown Hawaiian many times ..  very nice airline .. so is Alaskan 

[SunflowerHoneybee 19]

I'll be flying American Airlines, i may buy some cheap BigW / Kmart suitcases to house clothes and things and my good travel suitcase to hold most my electronics. I've traveled a few times to the states with electronics, i usually cocoon them between all my clothes, no issues so far.

Not sure if i can purchase additional baggage allowance through AA, i should look into that.