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(Disclaimer: I was thinking about posting this in blogs, but ultimately it's a tech/computer dilemma which is why I'm posting it in tech support. If one of the mods thinks its too bloggy/ self-centered then go ahead and move it)
Greetings once again my fellow techno-weenies --
As my final semester of undergrad comes to its conclusion and I begin preparing myself for at least 2 years abroad in Sweden for graduate studies, I am growing increasingly anxious over the electro-elephant in the room -- my custom built PC.
I just built the machine about a year ago (dropped about $1000 on all the parts sans monitor + accessories) which was shortly before I decided to apply for grad school abroad. In retrospect I probably should have held off until I had known for certain, but how could I resist the HD-streaming-potential, among other things.
Now here's the dilemma. I've done some research on overseas shipping and I can probably get the thing reliably sent for somewhere around $200. Also not 100% sure, but I think since it will be over a year old by the time I ship it, I won't have to pay import customs taxes on it (at least that's what I've heard from some random people on the internet...)
Alternatively, I could try to take the thing in my luggage but seeing as its a mid size tower and is a bit weighty, I'm not sure if it's the best idea. I was thinking that maybe I could take the core components (cpu, graphics card, mobo, RAM, HDs) out of the rig and stuff them in luggage insulated by static-proof bags and clothing, and then buy a new tower and PSU when I get to europe. However, I'm not quite sure if I'm even legally allowed to do this and the last thing I need is to get in trouble over "suspicious electronics" being scattered throughout my luggage at the airport.
So given that I don't ship it or carry it over myself, the final option would be to try and sell it before I leave and use the money (and maybe some additional funds) to buy a new laptop. I've never owned a high-end laptop before (currently I have a Toshiba Satellite P750 with an A6 APU, a mid-range 3-year old laptop I've been using in class) but I would like to get something with specs similar to my current desktop if I'm going to go for this option at all.
My desktop specs (everything I would try to sell if I were buying a new laptop):
i7 2600k overclocked at 4.3Ghz (with coolermaster 212+)
ati radeon HD 6950 2GB GDDR5
8GB G.skill ripjaw x 1333 SDRAM DDR3
ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Mobo
COOLER MASTER RC-692-KKN2 CM690 II Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Intel 330 Series Maple Crest SSDSC2CT060A3K5 2.5" 60GB SATA III MLC SSD (for windows 7 install and some program files)
a couple of 600 gig 7200rpm hard drives
Acer G235HAbd 23'' 5ms 1920x1080 WideScreen LCD monitor
some old LG 19 inch LCD
blue snowball microphone
logitech z4 2.1 speakers
I really am not up-to-date with the gaming laptop market so I'm not even sure if its feasible that I'll be able to afford one by selling my desktop/monitor/laptop. There's also no guarantee that I'll even be able to sell my PC in time for a reasonable price, but If anyone has any ideas or recommendations then please let me know.
I haven't included the option to build a new PC in Europe because I think it's impossible not to get screwed over from the exchange rate/taxes in doing so.
TLDR:
Ultimately this is an economical decision, I'd like to figure out how to get my computer to Europe with the least risk + cost but it's unclear to me which of the options is best. Shipping the computer is certainly pricey especially if I'm subject to import/customs taxes, but seems to be the safest + easiest option. Packing it myself is potentially risky because it could get damaged en route, and it could also get pricey if it causes my luggage to go overweight or if I somehow get fined for breaking the law. Getting a new laptop will certainly make for an easy move but I'm skeptical that I can find one that costs less than the surcharge of shipping my stuff over in the first place.
Perhaps someone out there has been through something like this before, if so then I very much would appreciate your tips.
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imo the best would be keep the best parts of the PC and sell the rest, use the money you got to upgrade your PC with online parts when you got into sweden
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You're not going to get a laptop with comparable performance for a reasonable price, so I would consider shipping your desktop.
You could consider only taking the valuable parts and leaving the cheaper and/or bigger parts, but I'm not sure if that'll save you much. But make sure to check whether import taxes apply (contact the country you're traveling to), because that could make it more expensive.
If no taxes/customs are due, I would ship it. Make sure to have a backup of your data and/or take the harddisk(s) with you on the plane in the rare case there's a shipping problem.
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On April 26 2013 14:31 Erik.TheRed wrote:Alternatively, I could try to take the thing in my luggage but seeing as its a mid size tower and is a bit weighty, I'm not sure if it's the best idea. I was thinking that maybe I could take the core components (cpu, graphics card, mobo, RAM, HDs) out of the rig and stuff them in luggage insulated by static-proof bags and clothing, and then buy a new tower and PSU when I get to europe. However, I'm not quite sure if I'm even legally allowed to do this and the last thing I need is to get in trouble over "suspicious electronics" being scattered throughout my luggage at the airport.
Do not put computer parts into checked luggage man. That's just asking to have it destroyed. Baggage handlers will throw your bags. Not fun.
That said, scattering electronics throughout your luggage isn't actually that suspicious. Especially if it's all commercial parts. Bring your own custom breadboards, open wires, random home baked circuits, etc... that's a different matter.
Personally I would get the boxes for your CPU, mobo, RAM, PSU, and bring them into a carryon. Get a 22" roller. Hell actually you may even be able to fit a tower in there, depending on how thin it is. But pack that shit yourself, pad it well, and carry it on. That way nobody's throwing your bag around. Buy a tower when you get there, everything else should break down pretty small.
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United Kingdom14103 Posts
On April 26 2013 17:24 phar wrote:Show nested quote +On April 26 2013 14:31 Erik.TheRed wrote:Alternatively, I could try to take the thing in my luggage but seeing as its a mid size tower and is a bit weighty, I'm not sure if it's the best idea. I was thinking that maybe I could take the core components (cpu, graphics card, mobo, RAM, HDs) out of the rig and stuff them in luggage insulated by static-proof bags and clothing, and then buy a new tower and PSU when I get to europe. However, I'm not quite sure if I'm even legally allowed to do this and the last thing I need is to get in trouble over "suspicious electronics" being scattered throughout my luggage at the airport. Do not put computer parts into checked luggage man. That's just asking to have it destroyed. Baggage handlers will throw your bags. Not fun. That said, scattering electronics throughout your luggage isn't actually that suspicious. Especially if it's all commercial parts. Bring your own custom breadboards, open wires, random home baked circuits, etc... that's a different matter. Personally I would get the boxes for your CPU, mobo, RAM, PSU, and bring them into a carryon. Get a 22" roller. Hell actually you may even be able to fit a tower in there, depending on how thin it is. But pack that shit yourself, pad it well, and carry it on. That way nobody's throwing your bag around. Buy a tower when you get there, everything else should break down pretty small.
I actually flew with a 22" monitor checked in as hold luggage, they labelled it as fragile and it was fine, I can imagine flying with a tower is harder though.
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On April 26 2013 16:07 ETisME wrote:
imo the best would be keep the best parts of the PC and sell the rest, use the money you got to upgrade your PC with online parts when you got into sweden
This is a great solution. Pack the parts in some layers of foam in your personal luggage so it doesn't get tossed by handlers and you should be fine.
EDIT: You might want to tell costums that you have computer parts in your bag and they are free to inspect them, as they might resemble a bomb and you don't want to get arrested by noobish people who can't tell a video card from a bomb 
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On April 26 2013 19:05 Targe wrote:Show nested quote +On April 26 2013 17:24 phar wrote:On April 26 2013 14:31 Erik.TheRed wrote:Alternatively, I could try to take the thing in my luggage but seeing as its a mid size tower and is a bit weighty, I'm not sure if it's the best idea. I was thinking that maybe I could take the core components (cpu, graphics card, mobo, RAM, HDs) out of the rig and stuff them in luggage insulated by static-proof bags and clothing, and then buy a new tower and PSU when I get to europe. However, I'm not quite sure if I'm even legally allowed to do this and the last thing I need is to get in trouble over "suspicious electronics" being scattered throughout my luggage at the airport. Do not put computer parts into checked luggage man. That's just asking to have it destroyed. Baggage handlers will throw your bags. Not fun. That said, scattering electronics throughout your luggage isn't actually that suspicious. Especially if it's all commercial parts. Bring your own custom breadboards, open wires, random home baked circuits, etc... that's a different matter. Personally I would get the boxes for your CPU, mobo, RAM, PSU, and bring them into a carryon. Get a 22" roller. Hell actually you may even be able to fit a tower in there, depending on how thin it is. But pack that shit yourself, pad it well, and carry it on. That way nobody's throwing your bag around. Buy a tower when you get there, everything else should break down pretty small. I actually flew with a 22" monitor checked in as hold luggage, they labelled it as fragile and it was fine, I can imagine flying with a tower is harder though. monitor I'd be OK with too. I fly with pricey-ish lenses, and usually nothing bad happens. But both of those are actually pretty sturdy against impact. Main thing you have to be worried about with a monitor is puncture or scratching. A motherboard is a different ballgame, lots of fragile shit sticking off of it.
I guess if you put it back in its original packing or cut some foam to size it might be OK. Certainly some parts would be fine - PSU and RAM wouldn't give a shit about being tossed.
That could be a better solution - check some stuff, carry the rest on, buy case there.
Use the saved $ to get a good 21-22" Briggs and Riley roller, ha.
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DEFINITELY ship it. Its easily worth the pain/hassle you will save as opposed to finding a new rig or shipping it in parts.
edit: don't ship it in parts.
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Thanks so much for the tips guys. So as it stands, getting a laptop is pretty much off-the-table which means I'll need to do a bit more research into international shipping. I think as long as I can avoid any crazy import/customs taxes I'll just ship the whole thing at once (maybe I'll leave the tower at home if it's too heavy/bulky and buy a new one in EU) and then I can bring my monitor and keyboard/accessories with my luggage.
I'll update the thread as I learn more/ make the move -- perhaps someone stumbling upon this thread in the future will find it useful.
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If you're going to ship the thing whole remove your cpu cooler, that thing will ruin your mobo if the package is even a little mishandled. Shipping insurance may not be a bad thing to look into also. May want to remove your gpu while your at it.
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On April 27 2013 02:33 RemainsNameless wrote:
If you're going to ship the thing whole remove your cpu cooler, that thing will ruin your mobo if the package is even a little mishandled. Shipping insurance may not be a bad thing to look into also. May want to remove your gpu while your at it.
Good idea. I still have the original boxes for the CPU, GPU, Motherboard, cooler, SSD, etc. so I should be able to wrap everything in anti-static packaging and then into the original boxes.
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Just gonna bump with a quick update--
Shipped my PC from New Jersey a couple weeks ago with USPS, paid $130 for priority mail international (the box was 33 lbs). I removed the hard drives and graphics card and carried them in my luggage since they were the bulkiest/most valuable items that were easy to remove. It arrived about 5 days later in Stockholm and I went down to the tobacco store to pick it up, where they asked to see my passport. Didn't have to pay any customs or import taxes because the parts are over a year old and I am a student, so I checked the "other" box where they give you options like gift, documents, merchandise, etc. The laws might be different in other countries but regardless nobody stopped or questioned me about the computer throughout the process.
Overall, it was a surprisingly painless process. I'm glad to have my PC again
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Hello, sorry for the really irrelevant post, since I am still newly registered and cannot post my thread within the next three days, could I just post here and revive the thread for this simple question. Me and my friend have ordered 2 sensei[raw] mice during the black friday sale through our mutual friend, who has a house in the US(maybe at LA), he's told us that the mice hasn't yet arrived as of this moment, is it true due to the large number of orders during the sale(the shipping only cost $10).
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EPT
