With your relocation date coming closer, you need the answer to the question of how to pack a computer for moving? This task can be somewhat intricate, but still unavoidable considering the importance of these electronic devices in our everyday lives. When it comes to such valuable possessions, it can become even a greater issue because any damage to your computer would cost you quite a lot. We offer some handy tips to help you protect your expensive devices adequately so that everything is delivered to your new home intact.
At this moment, you have so many questions, such as How do you pack electronics when moving? How do you safely transport a computer? How do I wrap my monitor for shipping? And the list goes on and on. Let us answer these and other questions that might be running through your head to help you handle this part of the move smoothly.
You Don’t Know How to Pack a Computer for Moving? Start With Backing up Your Data
We understand that you would rather not think about the worst-case scenario, but you need to be prepared for it anyway. No matter how expensive your computer is, the information you keep on it is probably much more valuable. So, step number one should be to back up your data, just in case something happens to your PC on the way to your new home. There’s no need to run the risk of losing your valuable data for good when you can back up all important files before relocation. Transfer them to an external hard drive, and you’re good to go.
Be sure you back up your data before you place your computer in a box, just in case.
Gather All the Necessary Packing Supplies
When moving electronics, the safest way to do it is to place your devices in the original boxes in which they came when you bought them. However, that’s not always possible. In case you threw these away, don’t despair. There are still ways to pack your computer and secure it without the original box. You just need the right packing supplies, including the following:
- Moving boxes of proper shape and size
- Moving blankets
- Packing paper
- Paper padding
- Bubble wraps
Use Labels When Preparing Electronics for Shipping
Whether you’re packing your computer and the corresponding peripheral devices or some other piece of electronic equipment, there will be a lot of cords. If not packed properly, cables can easily get tangled, which is not only annoying, but it can damage them, too. Besides, it might happen that you forget which cords go to which port. To avoid damage and any possible confusion, the first tip is to pack the cables neatly. In addition to that, you can use colored labels to connect the cords with the corresponding ports.
Use colored labels to keep track of peripheral devices and cords when shipping electronics.
Make Sure You Protect Your Desktop Computer Properly
When you back up your data, it’s time to protect the device itself so that it is delivered safely to your new home. Shipping a desktop computer might be a bit trickier than shipping a laptop, so you should be careful to make sure it is fully secured. Before you get down to packing, check whether your computer is off. It might seem like an obvious thing to do, but you’d be surprised how many people forget about this essential step. After you’ve done that, you should remove the cables and secure them with cable ties. Next, place your computer monitor and tower in separate boxes.
Place the Monitor Separately
When it comes to wrapping the monitor, here are some simple steps you should follow:
- Remove the stand
- Use soft packing paper for protection
- Put a piece of cardboard over the screen and fix it with tape
- Add bubble wrap on top of the cardboard and fix that, too
- Use a furniture blanket to wrap the entire monitor and put it in a box
When you secure the monitor, it’s just as important to do the same with the computer tower, so let’s see how to go about it.
Pack the Tower in a Proper Cardboard Box
The crucial thing to remember here is not to remove any PC components inside the computer mid-tower. You just need to use a sheet of bubble wrap to protect the entire tower, which is designed to absorb any vibrations during transport. Then wrap it in a furniture blanket and place the PC tower in a box of the right size.
Place each part of your desktop computer in a separate box.
Use a Regular Bag or Case for Your Laptop
Packing a laptop is a lot easier considering that these devices are, by definition, portable computers designed to move easily. There’s no need for any additional protection if you have a laptop bag or a case. The bag is already soft inside, again, designed to protect these devices when transported from one place to another. So, all you need to do is to place your laptop in the laptop bag or case, and you’re good to go.
Be Careful With the AC Adapter When Moving Your Laptop
Just like it was the case with a desktop computer, when packing a laptop, you need to disconnect any peripheral devices and remove the cables. When doing so, be extra careful when folding the AC adapter. Make sure you protect it using rubber bands and keep it in a separate compartment of the bag.
Ensure Extra Protection During Packing If You Don’t Have a Laptop Bag
In case you don’t have a laptop bag for any reason, you should know that it’s not enough to place your laptop in a suitcase and hope for the best. Use packing paper to wrap the entire device and then add a blanket or a thick towel. The best would be to place it in a suitcase with clothes.
Put your laptop in your laptop bag or case, and you’re good to go.
Summary
As you’ve seen, it is not that complicated to pack a computer when moving to a new home. You only need to be careful and follow the instructions to be sure you’ve done everything right. However, you may need a little more effort and expertise to pack and transport some of your other household belongings, such as a piano or a fine china set. In these cases, hiring professional moving services might be a sound investment considering the amount of work necessary to move these objects safely from point A to point B.
