The Moving Planner Blog

Computers and other valuable electronic devices need special attention when it comes to storage & moving. Not only are they fragile, dampness and dust can also cause problems and there are other perils that only apply to electrical items.

Starting with the most obvious danger first, computers of all kinds need to be protected from impacts. The most fragile part is usually the screen so that needs to be carefully cushioned. Most household items can be wrapped in newspaper or recycled materials but for computer monitors and laptops, special packing materials are recommended. Wrap computer monitors in several layers and make sure there are no other items in the box with sharp edges that might cause break the screen.

When packing a laptop, place a thin layer of padding in between the screen and keyboard. Close the laptop and wrap the whole package securely. Do make sure there is no pressure on the on/off switch though- if the machine is accidentally switched on in transit batteries will be wasted and any piece of electronics is far more vulnerable to knocks and bumps when current is flowing.

Tablet PCs (iPads for example) are mostly screen. What’s more, they’re mostly touch screen, which makes them even more fragile. It’s worth investing in a purpose-built case to keep yours safe on moving day. It’ll come in handy after the move too. Get a good one and it will serve you well on the way to work and on vacation.

Laptops shouldn’t really be handed to professional packers and movers, and nor should netbooks, iPads, smart phones, or MP3 players. The smaller a device is, the more likely it is to go missing. State of the art electronics often have a high resale value too- security should be a key concern. Like all portable, valuable items, electronic devices should stay with you rather than being packed away. If you’re flying to your new home, keep laptops and iPads in carry-on luggage rather than letting them go into the cargo hold. Strong magnets can cause problems otherwise. The TSA provides guidelines about what should and shouldn’t be packed in check-in bags.

Peripherals like printers, mice, and keyboards are relatively easy to pack. Use balled-up newspaper to pad out the boxes, seal them up, label as fragile and they should be fine. However, some other peripherals are very delicate indeed. External hard drives are at the top of the list. Treat these like the most precious iPad and make sure you’ve got CD or DVD backups of all data before moving.

If there is even the slightest chance that your boxes might get wet, wrap packages that contain electronics in an extra layer of plastic. That’s usually not a problem if you’re moving an office, but if you’re moving a home across the country or moving to storage it’s always better to be safe rather than sorry.

Heat can also damage electronics. If yours are going to be in a truck for a long time, ask the movers how hot they’re likely to get. It might be better to arrange separate shipping for electrical items if the weather is very warm and the truck isn’t ventilated.

It’s always a good idea to keep the device’s original packaging, as it is often custom made to fit the gadget perfectly.