Plane Carry-on Computer

[Patric Schwaab]

So, my rig is currently built in a fractal define r4 case, and I love it. However, I'm going to the U.K. From the US for school and I need a way to transport it there, and back every summer for 3 years. Shipping is out of the question since it will cost upwards of 600 dollars. So I'm left with two options, carry-on or checking it.

Now carry-on would obviously be the safest choice, however I currently have an ATX board. An asus z87-a. I would be willing to change my motherboard if that's all I needed to do, but the case also needs to fit a 11" graphics card, one SSD and one 3.5" HDD, and a CPU cooler(I currently have a hyper 212 evo which I believe is 158 mm high) it also needs to fit my thermaltake PSU which I'm fairly sure is standard sized.
Are there any cases that could accomplish this without me having to change out t my components? If it starts to get into the 300 dollar range I'm just building a new computer.

OR

Is there some kind of foam carrying case where I could check my define r4 rig on the plane without it breaking? Maybe taking out the hard drive and graphics card.

I would really appreciate any suggestions!

 

[batu]

I would just carry-on the pc parts and purchase a new case in the UK. But if you really want your case too, it really depends on the company you're flying with. For example, Turkish Airlines defines any baggage of 8kg and 55x40x23 cm as a carry-on or hand baggage. It also depends if you're in economy or business class. They might tolerate you if you're in business class, etc..

Again, my suggestion is that you take off your pc parts, place them into their original boxes (if possible) and carry them as hand baggage in your backpack, and purchase a case in the UK. If you really love your case, you could also bring your case as checked-in baggage but you need to protect the case inside the baggage if you're going to do so, as they're not nice to checked-in baggage and they get thrown a lot.

 

[13thmonkey]

i'd just buy a new one in the UK, and pay for storage between times, maybe transport a HDD back and forth. Then sell it in the final year, you'll only lose 'a bit' vs the pain of dismantling and rebuilding, and the risk of something not liking it, or being handled badly, or hit by static.

 

[Patric Schwaab]

I would just carry-on the pc parts and purchase a new case in the UK. But if you really want your case too, it really depends on the company you're flying with. For example, Turkish Airlines defines any baggage of 8kg and 55x40x23 cm as a carry-on or hand baggage. It also depends if you're in economy or business class. They might tolerate you if you're in business class, etc..

Again, my suggestion is that you take off your pc parts, place them into their original boxes (if possible) and carry them as hand baggage in your backpack, and purchase a case in the UK. If you really love your case, you could also bring your case as checked-in baggage but you need to protect the case inside the baggage if you're going to do so, as they're not nice to checked-in baggage and they get thrown a lot.

So the issue with this is that I'll be there for 3 years and coming back to the states every summer. So I can't really buy a case three times. I won't have anywhere to store a case I buy in the U.K. Either. Plus disassembling and reassembling a computer every year sounds like not a ton of fun. Is there any kind of protective foam case where it would be safe in checked luggage? Like a pelican case or something?

 

[13thmonkey]

I would just carry-on the pc parts and purchase a new case in the UK. But if you really want your case too, it really depends on the company you're flying with. For example, Turkish Airlines defines any baggage of 8kg and 55x40x23 cm as a carry-on or hand baggage. It also depends if you're in economy or business class. They might tolerate you if you're in business class, etc..

Again, my suggestion is that you take off your pc parts, place them into their original boxes (if possible) and carry them as hand baggage in your backpack, and purchase a case in the UK. If you really love your case, you could also bring your case as checked-in baggage but you need to protect the case inside the baggage if you're going to do so, as they're not nice to checked-in baggage and they get thrown a lot.

So the issue with this is that I'll be there for 3 years and coming back to the states every summer. So I can't really buy a case three times. I won't have anywhere to store a case I buy in the U.K. Either. Plus disassembling and reassembling a computer every year sounds like not a ton of fun. Is there any kind of protective foam case where it would be safe in checked luggage? Like a pelican case or something?

We have storage companies over here, so it'll be one build, check with where you are studying for between term storage, I'd do everything possible to not move it country to country.

 

[batu]

I would just carry-on the pc parts and purchase a new case in the UK. But if you really want your case too, it really depends on the company you're flying with. For example, Turkish Airlines defines any baggage of 8kg and 55x40x23 cm as a carry-on or hand baggage. It also depends if you're in economy or business class. They might tolerate you if you're in business class, etc..

Again, my suggestion is that you take off your pc parts, place them into their original boxes (if possible) and carry them as hand baggage in your backpack, and purchase a case in the UK. If you really love your case, you could also bring your case as checked-in baggage but you need to protect the case inside the baggage if you're going to do so, as they're not nice to checked-in baggage and they get thrown a lot.

So the issue with this is that I'll be there for 3 years and coming back to the states every summer. So I can't really buy a case three times. I won't have anywhere to store a case I buy in the U.K. Either. Plus disassembling and reassembling a computer every year sounds like not a ton of fun. Is there any kind of protective foam case where it would be safe in checked luggage? Like a pelican case or something?

There are hardside luggages (https://www.ebags.com/category/luggage/f/hardside) But I don't know how big your pc case is. People usually put their case inside the original cardboard box, and protect it with clothing/plastic materials. Checked-in baggage seems like the only solution in your case. Also, fragile sticker won't hurt.

 

[USAFRet]

2 systems, 1 on each continent.
In storage for the inbetween times.

Storage might be in a closet at mom's house.

 

[Patric Schwaab]

I think I am gonna go with this, https://www.ebags.com/product/kenneth-cole-reaction-business-and-luggage/out-of-bounds-28-molded-upright-spinner/218820?productid=10291536 and glue foam to the top and bottom and maybe the sides.https://www.uline.com/BL_863/Convoluted-Foam-Sets Then I'll bubble wrap the inside of the case after taking the HDD and graphics card out, and then bubble wrap the outside as well and check it on the plane with a crap ton of fragile stickers. I just think disassembling and reassembling it would put a lot of strain on the parts. Especially if I do something wrong. And I'll want it over the summers so I wouldn't leave it in the U.K.

 

[USAFRet]

Don't take the HDD out. It is safer bolted into the case, rather than carrying it around.
No need for bubblewrap inside the case.
Given that foam inside that hardshell, no need for more bubblewrap outside. The foam is enough.

 

[13thmonkey]

http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/watch-baggage-handlers-drop-multiple-bike-boxes-off-easyjet-flight-318651

http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/easyjet-destroyed-my-bike-aqua-blue-rider-tweets-picture-of-team-bike-snapped-in-half-330837

 

[USAFRet]

http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/watch-baggage-handlers-drop-multiple-bike-boxes-off-easyjet-flight-318651

http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/easyjet-destroyed-my-bike-aqua-blue-rider-tweets-picture-of-team-bike-snapped-in-half-330837

:lol:
🙁

 

[13thmonkey]

Fragile stickers don't do much, hard boxes possibly encourage abuse.

 

[James Mason]

Also when the TSA sees what "could be a bomb" in your suitcase, they'll riffle through it and not put it back the way it was found at all. They'll take it out of any foam or anti-static bags you'd need to transport it safely and then just toss it back in.

If they really think it's a bomb they'll actually just destroy the whole thing rather than bother to look.

 

[Patric Schwaab]

Yeah. I can't say I'm not nervous checking it. But I honestly think it's going to be my best option. I really don't want to buy a new case in the U.K., rent a storage company to leave it there during the summer, rebuild it in the US(I'm going to need it over the summer) and rebuild it in the U.K. Again every single year. I think that would possibly do more damage to the computer especially since I'm a pretty novice builder. I would love if I could somehow fit it inside of a travel easy case that's carry-on, but it seems I would have to at the very least buy a new HDD, motherboard, and PSU for that to happen.

 

[James Mason]

Just sell it and buy a nice gaming laptop. It'll be "outdated" in 3 years anyways.

 

[batu]

A nice gaming laptop costs a lot, and if you think it that way a 'nice gaming laptop' is going to be outdated in 3 years too. It's much easier to upgrade a desktop computer.

 

[batu]

I think I am gonna go with this, https://www.ebags.com/product/kenneth-cole-reaction-business-and-luggage/out-of-bounds-28-molded-upright-spinner/218820?productid=10291536 and glue foam to the top and bottom and maybe the sides.https://www.uline.com/BL_863/Convoluted-Foam-Sets Then I'll bubble wrap the inside of the case after taking the HDD and graphics card out, and then bubble wrap the outside as well and check it on the plane with a crap ton of fragile stickers. I just think disassembling and reassembling it would put a lot of strain on the parts. Especially if I do something wrong. And I'll want it over the summers so I wouldn't leave it in the U.K.

I wish you good luck!

 

[James Mason]

A nice gaming laptop costs a lot, and if you think it that way a 'nice gaming laptop' is going to be outdated in 3 years too. It's much easier to upgrade a desktop computer.

Yeah, but a nice gaming laptop won't have any problem being taken on a plane.

 

[13thmonkey]

get an egpu and you can upgrade it

 

[arpanet1981]

I have to concur with others that it would be cheaper just buy a system over there. Rent some cloud storage to move your data from here to there and back again. I once knew someone who put camera+lenses in a Zero Halliburton case, but, a big enough case for an ATX system and the shipping is going to cost as much as just buying a system when you get wherever.