Moving is exciting when you leave behind your past and embark on a new path. Unfortunately, it comes with the burden of packing your entire house, which is very daunting. Most of your items will fit in boxes and bags and can make the journey without worrying, but your electronics are different.
Computers are finely tuned devices that need extra care for transporting from one location to another, and If you don’t take precautions, you could end up with damage that will cost lots of money to fix and the potential for lost data.
Do you need some advice on how to stow your desktop? This is how to pack a computer for moving.
1. Assemble Your Packing Material
The best type of packing for your computer is the original box it came in. This has been specially designed to fit all the components and has padding and structure to keep the computer safe. Many people save their computer boxes, but you must use another box. If you didn’t
You can buy boxes with padding inside, but it can be expensive, so a more economical option is to use a heavy cardboard box, just a little bigger than your computer. This way, the contents won’t be able to shift too much. Other must-have packing supplies include:
- Bubble wrap
- Packing peanuts
- Packing paper
- Sealable plastic bags
- Packing tape
- Marker pen
Because of all the computer components, you will probably need several boxes, but it is worth finding the right supplies to do the job.
2. Storage Containers
When moving furniture and clothing, you don’t have to worry too much about damage, and they can be put in the back of a truck or hauled away with moving personnel to get to the next location. Your computer system is fragile and expensive, so you should consider a safer, more secure way to move it.
Storage containers from The Storage Box are a personal way to transport the contents of your home. They minimize any worries you may have about the move. You can order a storage container on your property a few days before the move and then pack it up at your leisure. You control how you secure your personal belongings, and your computer boxes can be carefully placed alongside your other items so they will make the journey without getting knocked around.
Once packed, the storage company will pick up the container and transport it directly to your new home. You can then unpack without pressure and safely retrieve your computer from inside. No one has handled the contents inside but you, so it gives you peace of mind that your computer and the rest of your items are safe and sound.
3. Start with The Biggest Components
This is a desktop model when we discuss packing up your computer for moving. Laptops, tablets and smartphones are designed to be portable, and we travel with them every day.
Your desktop computer is a different story. This could be your home office computer or a gaming computer, and it is typically a desktop and its connective components. You should start with the biggest pieces to safely package all these up for travel. Your Tower and monitor are also the most fragile and need their dedicated box.
Start by unplugging all connections from them and wrapping them in a protective plastic bag or bubble wrap. Use a box larger than the unit and put packing peanuts in the bottom for protection. Now, you can place your Tower or monitor inside, keeping it upright. Fill all the voices with packing paper, bubble wrap and peanuts so it is secure and can’t move around. Finally, seal the box with packing tape and label it clearly with “Fragile” and “This Side Up.”
Many people also use a double boxing method for these delicate items by putting the packed box into a larger box with more packing material. This will protect your computer from damage.
4. Smaller Components
Now that you have your Tower and monitor secure, it’s time to pack up the other components. This will be things like:
- Keyboard
- Speakers
- Mouse
- Cables
- External hard drives
- Printer
- Scanner
You may also have other plugin devices that all need to travel together.
Wrap each component in bubble wrap and get them ready for packing. Put packing peanuts in the bottom of a box, big enough to fit all components and start placing them inside. Make sure to use packing material between each so they don’t rub or make contact during your move. Fill any voids with packing paper so nothing can shift when the box is transported. Secure the box with packing tape and label it accordingly.
This is how to pack a computer for moving. Follow this guide and get your computer safely to your new home, ready to be connected so you can continue your digital life.
