Question: One of our customers asked us how to safely move computers in moving boxes. This is a great question and one we wanted to answer on our blog to help everyone.
Packing computers in moving boxes is very tricky and it is risky when moving, storing and/or shipping. Extreme care should be paid to the packaging process to ensure safe delivery.
Moving Box Delivery has combined several approaches into one article to help you pack and move your computers, particularily if you no longer have the original packaging materials that your computer came in.
However, it must be said that the BEST approach to moving a computer, and the only one that you can feel totally confident that your computer will be well protected is to use the box and the strofoam inserts that the computer came with.
The problem with this, is most people do not have the space or the desire to store every electronic packaging material that they buy. However, using the original packaging material is really the only solution that will ensure 100% safe delivery of your computer.
Therefore, I called Dell Computers and Apple computers to see if I could buy the original packaging materials and the original box that my computer came in. The response I received from both of the operators I spoke with was, well….” no.” Oh well, worth a try.
If anyone has been able to purchase the original packaging materials from a computer manufacture, please add a comment to the blog and let me know so I can pass on the information to others.
Transporting Your Computer in Your Car
If you are hiring a moving company to move your home and you are able to transport your computer yourself in your car, this is a good idea. Moving trucks have a lot more vibration than cars do, and you can wrap blankets around your computer and have it close by you, your computer will be better protected than in a moving truck (generally speaking.) Also, if you are moving laptop computers, there is no reason why you would not transport these yourself.
How to Pack Computers in Moving Boxes
The 3.0 sized moving box, otherwise known as the “Kitchen Moving Box” is a good size moving box to transport most sized computer towers. It can also fit many standard size monitors, but please note that many of the larger flat screen monitors are too wide and will need a custom size computer screen box.
Every moving kit from Moving Box Delivery includes several of the 3.0 size moving boxes, which you can use to pack a computer tower with. It is deep enough to fit most sized towers and still have room to have blankets or peanuts on all sides surrounding the computer.
Also included with every moving kit is packing foam. This is wonderful packaging material to help protect your computer. You can also use bubble wrap to wrap around your computer, though Moving Box Delivery doesn’t sell bubble wrap because it can not be recycled.
Step By Step Instructions of How to Pack a Computer in Moving Boxes If You Don’t Have the Original Packaging
1. Fill your 3.0 cubic moving box with peanuts. (You can purchase packing peanuts from most stores)
2. Wrap the packing foam that was included in your moving kit on all sides of the computer. Make sure to wrap your computer well, so there is padding on all sides.
3. Put peanuts in the moving box and place the computer in the center of the box standing upright. Make sure there are peanuts on all sides including the top, so it can not move.
4. Write FRAGILE electronics on the top and sides of the box. (Often movers will not see labels if you only label on the top, as they stack the boxes and can see labels on the sides much more clearly.)
Another Option to Packing Computers in Moving Boxes
Thick moving blankets can also be very effective in protecting your computers. Just make sure that your computer can not move once it is placed upright in the box.
- You need to fill your box up completely so the computer is not touching the moving box at all on any side, and that it does not shift inside.
Other Considerations When Moving Computers in Moving Boxes
1. Make sure to back up your computer BEFORE you pack it. Store this hardrive in another place in the event that your computer is lost. You can also backup on a DVD for double protection.
2. Place your cords in zip lock bags and tear a piece of paper off into the bag and write down what the cord is used for. This simple step can help you quickly and easily re-assemble your computers, knowing what each cord is for.
3. Consider buying moving insurance and accept the fact that your computer may get damaged. Moving computers without the orginal packaging is a bit risky and is known industry wide to be the case. Please know that you can successfully move computers in moving boxes, but the only real guarantee is to have the original packaging materials.
4. Consider going to a local shipping and packing store that specializes in shipping products and have them pack your computer. If you find a good packaging company, it is worth paying them money to protect your computer as they are “pros” in safe packing.
5. Due to how risky it is to move computers without the original packaging, many people decide to sell or donate their computer locally and then buy a new one at their new home. Sounds like a good excuse to me to buy a new Apple computer!
Disclaimer- Moving Box Delivery does not state in this article that your computer will be safe if you use these packaging ideas. The only truly safe way to pack a computer for moving is to use the original moving supplies and box that the computer came with. Computer manufactures spend a lot of money custom fitting the molds and the boxes to make sure your computer is protected. However we hope these ideas are helpful if you do not have the orginal materials.
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Great post! This is great information especially when transporting an expensive computer system. I know from experience…last year I drove my computer across town and didn’t put bubble wrap around it and broke my monitor…oh well live and learn:)