Taking a Desktop PC from US -> UK

CallumG

Hi,

I've been living in Washington State for the past year as part of an exchange year, I am due to fly home soon however while here I have purchased a desktop PC.

Does anyone know of any cheap methods of transporting a PC to the UK? At the moment I am considering taking it on as hand luggage (It meets the size requirements, just) Although I am open to any other suggestions people may have....

ferf1223

if it fits in the size (and weight - if applicable) of the airline's hand luggage requirements then maybe that would be an option...but does that include any packaging/protection for it? Or are you just going to carry it on as is? Bearing in mind that stuff in those overhead lockers get bounced around quite a bite?

When I moved here I checked mine - it its original box - and didn't have any problems (other than getting pulled aside by customs to explain it)...but that was when most airlines allowed 2 checked items free of charge.

DavidHayton

If it will fit in your hand luggage then bring it that way. Any other method could well involve baggage handlers throwing your computer about, boxes falling over in unknown warehouse, or pallets left out in the rain.

Make sure that you check the UK Customs regulations http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/arriving/arrivingnoneu.htm and have your invoice/receipt with you when you enter the UK.

David

aerostar

Word of warning, check that your desktop can handle 230volts input, as US is 110volts and if it is not suitable there would be a nasty BANG, destroying the power supply and may be the computer !!!!!!!

If it is not suitable you would have to buy a step down transformer to change 230 volts to 110volts. could be costly.

ferf1223

all I had to buy (10 years ago) was a different lead - I may have had to flip a switch and plug in the new lead (as the existing one just unplugged from the back of the PC), but that was it.

I acknowledge that it's a valid thing to look into, but with PCs being manufactured for sale/use all over the world, I'd be somewhat surprised if it wasn't compatible with minimal fuss.

spiro

If you go with taking it as checked baggage, just take the hard disk out and carry that in your hand luggage as this is the main component that will suffer if thrown around.

withabix

aerostar wrote: »

Word of warning, check that your desktop can handle 230volts input, as US is 110volts and if it is not suitable there would be a nasty BANG, destroying the power supply and may be the computer !!!!!!!

If it is not suitable you would have to buy a step down transformer to change 230 volts to 110volts. could be costly.

A bit of a severe comment.

It will either have a changeover switch or a replacement PSU could be purchased for about £20 and installed quite easily if you are that way inclined.

Pavel_S

I've transported PC's in checked luggage without problem. As mentioned, the hard disk is really the only thing that can get damaged if it's packed properly. However, USA security luggage handling is disgusting - they've broken 2 of my suitcases in front of my eyes and creased a £500 suit by jamming it into the lock. Good thing they didn't understand a lot of the British expletives they received.

If you're going to take it into hand luggage, be prepared to be stopped (allow extra time through security) as anything more than one laptop in hand luggage immediately makes you a bomb suspect (hard-drives don't look very reassuring on an x-ray machine if you ever see it!).

Definitely would prefer to take it on the plane rather than shipping it separately.


As for the PSU, it'll have a tiny little switch on it. Can't remember the last time I saw a single voltage computer PSU