Advice for new computer options

[kilroy]

I am planning on purchasing a new computer near the release of Planetside 2. Portability is an issue for me as I have some serious plans to do some moving around in the near future.

I do not want to have to sell my $2000 desktop because I can’t take it on the move. With this said if someone could give me some insight on what travel/shipping options are available for full sized PC’s and the associated costs, I would appreciate it. If there is an affordable and feasible method for me to safely ship a desktop across the country this would be my ideal choice.

I have looked into gaming laptops but comparatively they are far more expensive for equivalent power, plus they have minimal upgrade options for the future.

I have stumbled upon miniature desktops similar to the Falcon Frag Box found here http://www.falcon-nw.com/desktops/fragbox (Falcon custom computers are very much out of my price range). I was wondering if anyone knows anything about these types of computers such as overheating issues, component flexibility, and future upgradability.

As for relevant information from the suggested information thread, My Budget is $2000, the primary function of this computer would be gaming, I live in the US, and I plan on running Windows 7 64bit.

[Vancha]

Could you elaborate a little more about your "serious moving around"? The suggestion I'd give for moving constantly between two locations would differ from moving to many places and never returning to them once you'd left.

[kilroy]

I am planning on traveling from city to city working temporary jobs in order to see the country before I plant myself in one location. Overseas is not out of the question either.

[Vancha]

I suppose it depends on the frequency at which you'll be moving.

If you'll be moving on every week or so, I'd buy a decent Llano laptop (apparently BorisBlade's $400 one can run Crysis 2 and Dead Island), or Trinity if you can wait for it, then upgrade with each generation. $700 per laptop, you get at least 3 years with your 2k (probably more).

If you'll only be moving on every 2-3 months or more, you could to buy a luxurious 2k rig and keep the packaging, then disassemble and repackage it when you want to move, send it where you're going, then unpack and reassemble when you get there. I have no idea what that'll cost you in delivery costs though.

I'm assuming lugging around a MicroATX rig with you personally every time you move would be impractical?

[Ailos]

So how exactly are you planning on moving? Are you the one-suitcase kind of person that flies from one city to another, cross-continent at least once a month? Or is it more like you drive a couple hundred miles every few months?

If it's the latter, though bothersome, it'd still be better for you to simply pack your desktop into the trunk of your car. If it's the former, you'd be stuck with shipping companies but UPS and FedEx employees are almost never literate enough to read "fragile - handle with care".

[Goku]

Even if you move once a month is moving around a full sized rig that hard? I don't really see the issue here unless you packing all your stuff in some small compact car.

If you really want to go small and have a good computer best way is mini ITX.

[kilroy]

I wont be moving anymore than every 6 to 9 months. I probably won't be traveling with a car (I live in New York and plan on traveling to the west coast first) so I would have to ship a desktop. Anything smaller (minus the monitor perhaps) I could take on a plane with me.

I'm just worried shipping through fed-ex or ups wouldn't be practical due to cost and risk of damage (which I would make sure was insured). I think I am going to go to one of them tomorrow just to ask about prices. I'm reading that it will be around $50.00 which is not bad at all, but i believe that is for consumer sized desktops with no keyboard or monitor (and distance is not specified).

I am really leaning towards a desktop after doing more research, especially after reading Ailos's thread on laptops. The problem will come if I ever move to Hawaii, Alaska, or Europe (in which case I'll build one on site or get a laptop).

[Goku]

The only viable way to ship in my opinion is to take the entire computer apart and ship each part out on its own to avoid potential damage. Placing everything in a case is just asking for trouble in my opinion.

If you are looking for something small that you won't have issues taking on a plane I highly suggest looking into a Mini-ITX build.

[Vancha]

Yeah, I really don't suggest trying to ship a built rig. Disassemble it and give each component as much packaging/cushioning as possible.

[kilroy]

Ill give the mini-ITX a look see. Sending each component out separately will only increase shipping costs and the odds of a package being lost or mishandled. It would be so much more convenient to take a computer as checked luggage or even as my one carry on (if that's even allowed now, don't want some old woman yelling "He's got a bomb!" at me lol).

I may just have to compromise and build a full rig when I'm done traveling.

[Vancha]

Originally Posted by kilroy

Ill give the mini-ITX a look see. Sending each component out separately will only increase shipping costs and the odds of a package being lost or mishandled. It would be so much more convenient to take a computer as checked luggage or even as my one carry on (if that's even allowed now, don't want some old woman yelling "He's got a bomb!" at me lol).

I may just have to compromise and build a full rig when I'm done traveling.

The mental image of a baggage handler chucking a suitcase with my shiny assembled Mini-ITX rig into an aircraft compartment almost makes me cry.

[kilroy]

My current computer is a 5 year old best buy computer so nothing of value can be salvaged. I am completely new to building computers.

I'm don't know how affordable shipping individual packaged and insured computer components is going to cost me. If I end up moving multiple times that could really add up. I'm going to run hypothetical shipping costs to determine some costs.

Also vancha I can't get this video out of my mind which is why I would prefer to tuck it under my seat as a carry on.

[Goku]

I've shipped dozens of computer parts over the years and never once had one damaged/lost. Plus there is insurance for those issues anyway.

I don't know anything in regards about bringing a small computer actually on board with you on a plane. I suggest looking into that with a few airlines prior to doing a build.

Kilroy what do you have in your current rig? Perhaps you can salvage some of those parts into a Mini-ITX build. Only makes sense if you won't be making use of it all. Otherwise it will just be sitting there collecting dust and be worthless by the time you get back.