transporting a computer

[Paul Unger]

Hey, I wonder if anyone has some advice for transporting a computer. I'm from Canada, living in Solomon Islands. I just bought an X201 from Lenovo Canada and had it shipped to my in-laws. They're coming to Australia next month and they'll bring the computer with them for me (gee, you've kind of got my life history there, don't you!). Anyway, here are my questions:

1. The computer hasn't been turned on yet. Hasn't even been charged up yet. When you get a new X201, what kinds of questions are you asked at first start? What kind of decisions would my in-laws have to make on my behalf if they do charge it and start it? I ordered 64bit Windows 7--anything special you have to do with that?

2. If they take it as carry-on, will they be expected to turn it on through security, or can they say it's a new machine for someone else and they haven't charged it up yet?

3. If they take it in a suitcase surrounded by clothes, it would be 'safe', but it might be lost... Any advice there?

4. Any options I haven't considered?

Thanks for any advice,

Paul

[Colonel O'Neill]

My security checks departing from Canada only require that you take the laptop out from it's case and put it in one of the trays for the scanner. That's only for carry-on, so maybe they can check it in their luggage or something. They used to make people turn on their laptops.

[Falcon63]

I travel mostly in country, but they always have me take my laptop out; then put it in a separate basket thing. They never touch it but run it through the X-rays machine (THEY DON'T WANT TO TOUCH IT).

~Steven.

[j-dawg]

2. I've never had to turn on a computer for security, but I try not to travel internationally with a computer, so I might just not have the experience necessary. I doubt it, though - nobody's batted an eye the dew times I have carried m computers overseas.

1. If your in-laws do answer any startup questions, you can do a factory restore upon receiving the computer - it will be returned to out-of-the-box condition, and upon restarting it you will be asked the same questions once more.

3. I would ask them to carry it in a handbag or other container that won't be bounced around. Though I've also never had problems with damage when leaving my computers wrapped in clothing inside suitcases, I usually keep the nicer ones on my person in case checked luggage is lost or stolen.

[virge]

I traveled to Asia in January and to the East Coast in July and was not asked to turn the laptop on. I remember back when they used to require the laptops be powered on. I always wondered what would happen if the battery was dead!

I would highly recommend against putting it in your checked luggage. That's the most likely place it could disappear. Also, TSA might go open the luggage for inspection and move items around. This could move soft packing material away from the laptop OR put it into contact with hard objects. About 1 out of 4 trips or so TSA has left a little note in my checked bag saying it was inspected.

[Paul Unger]

Thanks, guys. Some helpful comments (as always). I think I'll get them to carry it uncharged / unstarted and see what happens.

[Falcon63]

Just carry it on and put it in a small laptop bag with padding... You can probably carry it in the box it comes with, with out even opening it. More then likely they will run it through the Xray machine.

[Radioguy]

I think it's wise to carry a laptop ultrabay end up, especially if you have an optical or hard drive in there. The other way 'round, and gravity is pulling on it.

[underclocker]

Congrats on the machine, those are nice!

I will assume you'd prefer no scratches or damage unless you can inflict them yourself. If I were in your situation I'd be most concerned about damage from someone traveling with it as carry-on for nearly 10,000 miles or so. Potential damage is everywhere. There will undoubtedly be other items in the carry-on bag that may need to be accessed during the trip, removing the laptop for X-ray (at least one time), placing carry-on bag under seat and/or in overhead bin, etc. - excess pressure and/or scratches could occur at any time. Nearly every bag has a zipper which can scratch a new laptop instantly.

I would ask the relative to leave the laptop body (no battery, adapter, etc.) in the plastic bag that it shipped in and then put that in a padded envelope (like a FedEx padded envelope), and place that in a carry-on bag with adequate room to prevent pressure damage and away from sharp or heavy objects. The laptop can be removed from the padded envelope and maybe left in the clear plastic bag when X-rayed. All the accessories can be placed inside checked luggage. (I've been traveling for years with a lpatop, in many countries, no one has asked me to power on a laptop yet.)

Good luck and enjoy your family and new machine.