Tips on transporting computer components.?

Question

Hello:
I live in Canada, and with the currency rate at 1 to 1, I'm going to go to the states and get computer parts, because its cheaper there.

here is my question, i need tips on how to transport the parts back, does plane allow carryons for computer boards and such? how should i wrap the components, and such. any suggestions would help.

i'm thinking of getting evga 680i motherboard, and 2 8800gtx gfx card. so these are pretty sensitive equipments.

thx

oh yeah, i;m traveling by plane, and should i carry on my boards, or put it in my baggage and put it in the cargo bay of the plane.

and would airlines allow computer components being carried on with the passenger?

Answer 1

Shipping computer parts is not much different from shipping any potentially fragile item such as a glass vase.

For parts in danger of static electricity like motherboards or cpus, some static wrap may be necessary:
http://www.uline.com/Browse_Listing_2971.asp?desc=Anti-Static+Stretch+Wrap

But for parts such as cd drives, hard drives, video card, and other peripherals you just need to make sure they have their own box/plastic wrapping, and plenty of foam peanuts to absorb any turbulence or bumps while being transported.

Of course you could always get insurance for a few extra bucks that guarantees you being re-imbursed for damaged products.

Hope this helps

Answer 2

When you buy the parts make sure they are given to you in the original packing they used to ship them in the first place.

This should include static free bags and appropriate boxes.

I only mention this because the best deals on computer equipment usually come from places that manufacture their own equipment, meaning they don't always sell the parts boxed up.

Computer equipment is not that fragile and the main problem in shipping computers is that cards and cables come loose and need to be replugged.

CRT monitors are also a problem. But everything else is ok.

You shouldn't have any trouble taking the equipment on the plane. Better than letting the baggage handlers throw them around in your luggage. If you have any doubts, ask at checkin time.

If you have to check what you bought, put them in a solid case, surrounded by clothes, towels and so on, and make sure your bag is firmly packed.

Answer 3

When you buy them, they should be in a box with antistatic bags around them. You can use the shopping bag or one a little stronger to carry them onto the plane. Run them through the scanner as normal and if necessary be ready to open the boxes to show what is inside the package. Allow a few extra minutes for the security check. If you have a hard drive, keep in antistatic bag and if needed. get a small box to put it in so it will not bounce around. I use one layer of bubble wrap around the outside to prevent movement. They will shoot me for suggesting the waste of their products, but Fedex boxes work well for the MB.