Bringing mATX computer as carry on?

[thecrecarc]

Has anyone had experience bringing a non-laptop computer as a carry on? I am slightly afraid the I'll get stopped at the security checkpoint for having a dangerous item. Afterall, it has lights, odd metal parts, and everything!

I am also afraid it'll get utterly broken if I tried to check it in. Id far rather have it near me at all times, and it fits the dimensions too.

 

[TheVrolok]

Might be ok, you can carry-on video game consoles (ie PS3) and it's really not any different except for appearance, but YMMV.

 

[chorb]

sure, bring it through security. TSA will give you some physical love and you'll be on your way

 

[911paramedic]

Pre-9/11 I did it when I gave my son a desktop computer and he carried it on. I think you would have one hell of a time doing it now. "Could you please turn it on for us?"

That may be a problem.

 

[Brigandier]

Pre-9/11 I did it when I gave my son a desktop computer and he carried it on. I think you would have one hell of a time doing it now. "Could you please turn it on for us?"

That may be a problem.

Would it be ok through the XRay? Should you but your harddrives on your person?

 

[Brainonska511]

Would it be ok through the XRay? Should you but your harddrives on your person?

Hard drives are not made out of film.

Thousands of laptops, with traditional hard drives, go through X-ray machines every day and turn out fine.

 

[Bignate603]

Would it be ok through the XRay? Should you but your harddrives on your person?

Not sure if serious...

 

[911paramedic]

An MRI would be bad, but it would fly into a million pieces so your HDD platter wold be the least of your concerns.

I'm just worried that they would want you to turn it on like any piece of electronic equipment, and unless you have a monitor and keyboard/mouse that may be difficult. Best plan, call the airline and ask them. This almost like an ATOT doctor thread.

 

[Worthington]

I've carried a desktop on post 9/11 (maybe about... 5-6 years ago) and didn't have a problem. They popped the side open and did that little swab test for explosive material. Once that comes back clean they slapped the side back on and sent me on my way. No prob. Actually they spent more time asking me questions like "does it play MP3s", and of course "does it play Crysis at 60fps"? then being worried that I was trying to smuggle anything dangerous on.

 

[thecrecarc]

I've carried a desktop on post 9/11 (maybe about... 5-6 years ago) and didn't have a problem. They popped the side open and did that little swab test for explosive material. Once that comes back clean they slapped the side back on and sent me on my way. No prob. Actually they spent more time asking me questions like "does it play MP3s", and of course "does it play Crysis at 60fps"? then being worried that I was trying to smuggle anything dangerous on.

Thanks, that is reassuring. I have no problem with turning it on, but without a monitor, all it'll do is light up, whirr, and beep. Hmmmmmm

 

[lupi]

An MRI would be bad, but it would fly into a million pieces so your HDD platter wold be the least of your concerns.

I'm just worried that they would want you to turn it on like any piece of electronic equipment, and unless you have a monitor and keyboard/mouse that may be difficult. Best plan, call the airline and ask them. This almost like an ATOT doctor thread.

reminds me of an episode of house where they forgot to swap a patient from the regular metal bed prior to taking him to the mri.

 

[marvdmartian]

You should be able to take it on, though a micro-atx is a pretty big "box" to take on. Mini-towers might be okay, and the mini systems that run Atom processors would be small enough that they wouldn't worry about the physical size.

Remember, you also have to comply with the carry-on size rule, or they'll make you gate check it. Which means the luggage apes will be handling it. I'd definitely not have it in a case that cost more than $25, for that reason alone.

You might look into a small (5"-6") monitor that you could pack in a carry-on bag, and plug into your video out, so at least you could prove that it boots to Windows. :hmm:

 

[brblx]

i really don't think they're going to make you turn it on. they don't make you turn on laptops, and they're harder to physically look inside of. if he has a toolless side panel or some thumbscrews it shouldn't be an issue to pop it open and show that it is indeed electronics and not explosives, which will be confirmed by the xray.