Bringing computer and harddrives to America

[Mr. Borkström 63]

Sup guys? I have a question. I have my plane tickets booked and paid for. I'm flying over to reunite with my wife in Pittsburgh on December 23rd.

My question is this: I want to bring my computer and two external harddrives. What do I have to do in order to do that?

Thanks.

[Touch of Treble 39]

I packed mine carefully into my carry on luggage. Just took it out at security. I also bought an adapter plug from my country to USA plugs so i could still use it. I didn't bring a desk top just laptop and ex drive. If you need to bring a desk top I'd look into shipping it. Also check that it will operate on USA power.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Sup guys? I have a question. I have my plane tickets booked and paid for. I'm flying over to reunite with my wife in Pittsburgh on December 23rd.

My question is this: I want to bring my computer and two external harddrives. What do I have to do in order to do that?

Thanks.

All you have to do is pack them in your luggage...carry-on bag if they are valuable to you. My husband took his desktop apart and packed the components, leaving the big case behind since the power supply would be wrong in the US. He bought a new case (with US power supply) at Fry Electronics on the way home from the airport and was up and running before bedtime.

[Mr. Borkström 63]

I have a Mac Mini, so it's defifintely small enough to fit in my backpack.

I have been told that my European computer will work with the American power grid.

Thanks for the input btw. I appreciate it.

[MIDUVIL 34]

You may need a plug, to be able to plug your computer on the us wall socket. Not the entire stuff (power adapter), just a plug for the wall.

I bought some on ebay and amazon to go to my home country. Do a research on ebay and amazon sweeden (plug adapter), for USA (3 prongs).

I would really be surprised if you could plug your computer directly on the usa wall socket. Generally travelers buy plugs.

Good luck!

Edited December 6, 2012 by MIDUVIL

[Mr. Borkström 63]

Yup. I won't be able to plug it in without an adaptor.

[Asia 2,491]

Yup. I won't be able to plug it in without an adaptor.

Nah, you just need a plug - something like this.

[Alaska2012 462]

You can buy adapters and plugs over here, no need to bring more than u have too!

[MIDUVIL 34]

In my logic, the adapter was included with the computer.

You just need a plug like those models, one that you can use in usa-sweeden:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=plug+adapter

But if you don't have an adapter, maybe it's better to buy one in USA directly (hoping that you don't need any "plug" between your european computer and the us adapter), if you buy a adapter in usa you won't need anymore the plug.

Edited December 6, 2012 by MIDUVIL

[Mr. Borkström 63]

OK now I'm confused. lol

Heck! I'll have my wife stop at IKEA on the way from the airport. Maybe they can hook me up. They ought to! They're Swedish, right?

[Holly2234 66]

Just get on Amazon and order an adapter to your wifes (and your new!) house so it will be there for when you arrive. No big deal

As for bringing those things over, everybody has already answered but we brought over an external hard drive and two laptops and we just had to take the laptops out for the scanners. The hard drive just stayed in the bag and we didnt even think about it. I just declared the candy and food i had in my bag and got asked several times why i declared it No issues with the computer stuff.

[EminTX 131]

The only person that I personally know that had any issues was on a flight that was diverted to New York and he was selected as one of the "lucky" people for interrogation.

He did have to turn on his laptop and show them things on it (as well as them taking it out of the room where he was held). They also went through his cell phone and called every person on it to ask about his activites. When I got the "unavailable contact" call, I ignored it, like almost everyone else did. (Don't ever surprise someone by showing up from another country. Only one person answered when called, friend's girlfriend, who assured them that, no--he was not coming to the US--he was still in Europe and hadn't made any plans yet to return.)

When the ordeal was over, he felt like he had been thoroughly tested in his English comprehension and speaking abilities and his laptop power cord was not included in his bags.

Other than that, I have never heard of anyone having any problems of any kind.

It might be worthwhile to go to the Trip Advisor website to look at the forums for people from your country and any issues they have when they travel. Hope you have a great Christmas reunion with your beloved.

[Mr. Borkström 63]

Thanks. That's a good idea. I'll post the same question in the Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia) sub forum.

I was mostly worried about the data on the computer and the harddrive would get erased or something. I've got my whole digital life on there; video clips I've shot the last 5+ years from my being an assistant coach for a floorball team, still photos from the last 9 years, music, expensive programs that I don't think I will ever be able to afford to buy again...

[MIDUVIL 34]

I don't think that IKEA is working on this little niche, you know (Swedish foreigners coming to Usa and buying an American plug, for their Swedish laptop)

Maybe you will have to go online, more likely amazon, to find a plug which fit your computer and can be plug in an American socket.

In Usa, you will more easily find plugs for American computer to be plugged in other countries wall socket, and more likely online.

I'm telling you that, because I have a coming trip to my home country ( ) and I did some researches to buy some plugs for my American laptop. The easiest way is amazon.

If my laptop was a French laptop and I had to go to the USA, I would have to find a plug which fit the American socket for my French laptop, and most likely I will find it on Amazon France.

good luck

Edited December 6, 2012 by MIDUVIL

[Enigma11561 336]

Radio Shack has it all, and not expensive. Also in and out in a few minutes.