[SOLVED] Desktop pc transportation

[chriswa2002]

Hey!
Tomorrow i will taking a plane to the US and i'll probably buy a gaming PC online there to take back home, but i don't know if a desktop computer can be packed in a case and taken with me on the airplane. Will the airport administration have a problem with bringing desktop computers on board? Any tips or advice that anyone can give me? Thanks!!

 

[USAFRet]

Hey!
Tomorrow i will taking a plane to the US and i'll probably buy a gaming PC online there to take back home, but i don't know if a desktop computer can be packed in a case and taken with me on the airplane. Will the airport administration have a problem with bringing desktop computers on board? Any tips or advice that anyone can give me? Thanks!!

You're buying a PC.
It will come in a box.

How do you think it came from the factory, to where you will have it delivered to?
Ship, truck, forklift, truck, etc, etc, etc.

Put it back in the original shipping box, ship it.
I suggest shipping it individually...FEDEX/UPS/DHL.
Those companies are used to shipping things like this every single day.
Likely it was delivered by UPS anyway.

Carrying it yourself on the plane is likely MORE dangerous than shipping it.

 

[chriswa2002]

isn't shipping really expensive? I don't know how much the desktop pc can weight.
Im planning to get it shipped to miami and then to colombia

 

[USAFRet]

isn't shipping really expensive? I don't know how much the desktop pc can weight.
Im planning to get it shipped to miami and then to colombia

You can get the size and weight from wherever you order it from.
Go to Fedex/UPS/DHL, and you can get an estimate of 'how much'.

 

[SamirD]

I've done this before without an issue--just be sure to let it get scanned by itself in security as it will be an oddball for sure. Also, be sure it is small enough to fit as carry on. Keeping it in the original box is a great idea if it is possible. Otherwise, I would personally put it in a hardside checked bag with my clothes wrapped around it for packing material. The bag should be completely full so that the computer can't move and impacts to the bag are absorbed by your clothes. I've transported computer equipment like this before, but carry-on is definitely better if possible.

 

[USAFRet]

I've transported computer equipment like this before, but carry-on is definitely better if possible.

A desktop PC box is likely larger than allowed with carry-on.

And that also depends on the specific aircraft involved.

A small regional jet has smaller overhead bins.
A large box, even it is theoretically carryon size, would be gate checked, and put in with the rest of the checked luggage.

 

[SamirD]

A desktop PC box is likely larger than allowed with carry-on.

And that also depends on the specific aircraft involved.

A small regional jet has smaller overhead bins.
A large box, even it is theoretically carryon size, would be gate checked, and put in with the rest of the checked luggage.

Depends on the size of the PC. If it's a tower, then it's going to be nearly impossible, but smaller sff sizes definitely can.

A box packaged with other bags that are gate checked would probably be perfectly fine.

 

[USAFRet]

Depends on the size of the PC. If it's a tower, then it's going to be nearly impossible, but smaller sff sizes definitely can.

A box packaged with other bags that are gate checked would probably be perfectly fine.

Sitting at the gate, I've watched the guys manipulate gate checked items.
I wouldn't want a PC box to go through that.


Sure...small systems could easily be carry-on size.
My Beelink GTR would be a no brainer. Its about the size of 2x HDD.

 

[SamirD]

Sitting at the gate, I've watched the guys manipulate gate checked items.
I wouldn't want a PC box to go through that.


Sure...small systems could easily be carry-on size.
My Beelink GTR would be a no brainer. Its about the size of 2x HDD.

It's no different than what the shipping guys do though, so if it's a packed box, it should be fine.

Wow that's a super small system! Smallest I've transported have been thin clients.

 

[USAFRet]

It's no different than what the shipping guys do though, so if it's a packed box, it should be fine.

Wow that's a super small system! Smallest I've transported have been thin clients.

GTR-Pro
Ryzen 3550H, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe, Win 10 Pro...
Bought last year for way less than that price, during the indiegogo promotion.

Very very capable, well built system.

 

[SamirD]

Oh yeah, I've seen this link before. Really nice little box.