How Can I Safely Travel with My PC in a Carry-On?

Using bubble wrap is a great idea! Just wrap your PC in it before putting it in the carry-on—super simple and effective. If you have pillows or thick blankets, those will also work well to cushion the outside. It’s all about making sure it doesn’t get jostled too much.

Honestly, disassembling might not be necessary. Just make sure the case is well-padded. You could use bubble wrap around the PC to cushion it and secure it in the carry-on. Keeping it snug and surrounded by padding could help absorb shocks during transit. If you have another bag, position your computer bag in the overhead compartment, with something next to it to prevent others' luggage from hitting it.

I’ve traveled a lot with my PC and never had issues. Just ensure everything is tightly secured so the components don’t shift around. If you’re mainly worried about shock, make sure to have some padding at the bottom of the carry-on and around the sides. Components are built pretty tough these days, so you should be fine as long as everything is properly mounted.

If you can, consider getting a pelican case. They’re designed to protect fragile equipment and would be perfect for traveling with your PC. That way, you don't have to worry about how it’s packed inside your carry-on.

A good move would be to take out the GPU and wrap it separately for protection. If you're really concerned, consider removing all internal components like the RAM, SSD/HDD, GPU, and maybe the power supply. It’s usually fine to leave the CPU and cooler attached to the motherboard, but if you have a liquid cooler, you should probably remove it. Use anti-static bags for each part and pack them with some protective padding in a hard-shell carry-on if possible.