How to Transport a Desktop PC in a Car (Best Practices). How to travel with a pc

If you don’t have a max card and are only earning 20 points for every dollar you will have to spend $ 500 to get $ 10 in Optimum points, which equates to 2% in optimal point prizes.

Travel To England

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A family vacation in Hudson turns into a much more expansive tour of Europe as their flight is changed from France to London! Why not take the opportunity to admire England’s sights? No planes are needed – just a quick ride across the canal and all the sights and sounds of England will be at your fingertips!

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We would probably have done the same if we weren’t traveling full time. Even though the Macbook Air is quite light, it still puts a lot of strain on our backpack.

How to transport your PC in a car

Remove any mechanical hard drives

Hard drives in their bays to the right

In the case of mechanical drives, I highly recommend removing them and transporting them in anti-static bags. This way you can be sure that your data will remain safe and you will not have to replace unnecessary components.

Inside the Hard Drive: Close-up of the Heads

Mechanical drives are sensitive. One bad hit and you can say goodbye to him. And I really mean it. From the altitude of the drive head without actually engaging the drive, we are talking about a ground clearance of about 0.002 inches or 52 micrometers.

So don’t take any chances! Most cases are now designed to make disks easy to remove and add again.

So it’s not worth taking risks, don’t you agree?

It’s also not a bad idea to keep a backup of everything important about your mechanical drives before doing anything else.

Secure your CPU Cooler

Most CPU coolers are extremely heavy. This is to reduce fan noise by introducing a large cooling surface, reducing the need for extreme fan speeds under most conditions.

It comes with risks when you want to transport your computer in the car.

If you are able to lay your computer case down this way during shipment to make sure the mounts on the motherboard to the CPU cooler are not strained, you’re in the right place.

Another thing you should pay close attention to is the mounting bolts or nuts. Make sure they do not twist or twist while traveling.

This will cause cooling to become redundant if sufficient voltage is not maintained between the CPU cooler block and the CPU surface itself.

This will make your computer likely to start working properly but become unstable when Windows starts or when you choose to run an application.

To be 100% sure that the processor won’t come loose to the point where it rotates inside the case and causes massive damage, just remove it.

Most third-party CPU coolers can be removed by unscrewing the four nuts and the power connector. Normally this can also be done without removing the motherboard from the case.

You will need to reapply the thermal paste after cleaning the old thermal paste before reattaching it to the correct position.

Yes, I know it’s more work, but it will be worth it in the end. In addition, it will give you an excuse to replace the thermal paste as well as to make sure the cooler is working properly.

If you’re looking for high-quality CPU cooler, check out my article on Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black CPU cooler.

Try to keep your case laying on a spongy surface

How to transport your monitor(s)

If you cannot safely mount the monitor in your vehicle, consider renting a monitor (or monitors). This is not an ideal solution in terms of cost, but may be the right solution for your specific situation.

For car transport, I found the safest option to place the monitor in the back of the back seat. Normally you can find a position that prevents the monitor from moving and prevents you from touching the screen.

If you choose to stand it upright behind the front seat, I highly recommend throwing multiple folded towels or sheets over it to prevent it from sliding forward and backward or damaging the surface.

There is also a $ 99 PC Travel service credit for annual subscribers, which means that if you use this travel credit, your PC Insiders membership is essentially free.

Things to Consider Before Buying a New Travel Laptop

There are many factors to consider, both regarding your laptop and your travel style. With so many options available, it can be difficult to choose the best laptop for your trip.

Here are some important factors to consider when shopping for the best travel laptop:

1.) Portability

Portability is about both weight and size. Weight is usually the most important carrying factor as most travelers want their bags to be as light as possible. The lighter the laptop, the more likely it is to be one of the best laptops on the go. The best size of travel laptop depends on your needs. Small laptops take up less space, but usually also have less capacity.

2.) Battery Life

Some laptops only have 2 or 3 hours of battery life, while others may last almost a full day. How important battery life is depends on your travel style and use of your laptop.

3.) Storage Space

The storage space is very varied. Basic laptops tend to have much less storage space. Therefore, they cannot accommodate large programs or the thousands of photos you take on each trip.

4.) Price

Price is probably the most important factor in choosing the best laptop for your trip. The budget you have will likely determine all of the other factors, so it’s worth splashing out to get the best laptop for your trip. Treat it as an investment in your travel future. However, you don’t necessarily have to spend over $ 1,000 to get the best travel laptop for your needs. There are several mid-range options that I will outline below that will suit the needs of most travelers.

What Type of Traveler Are You

Before you think about the specs, first think about what type of traveler you are and what your laptop needs are. The best travel laptop for a full-time digital nomad will be different from the best travel laptop for the casual traveler.

What will you use the laptop for? Will you be on the road or will you only use it to stay connected on social media? Are you going to watch the latest Netflix originals in your hotel room or edit photos of the day in Adobe Photoshop?

The answers to these questions will help you determine the best travel laptop for you.

Below, I’ve taken the three main subcategories of laptops – notebooks and Chromebooks, 2-in-1 hybrid laptops, and ultrabooks – and outlined the core features of each, as well as the type of traveler it might be suitable for.

What will you use the laptop for? Will you be on the road or will you only use it to stay connected on social media? Are you going to watch the latest Netflix originals in your hotel room or edit photos of the day in Adobe Photoshop?

How to earn PC Optimum points with PC Travel

Here’s a breakdown of the different credit cards you can use and the number of PC Optimum points you can earn when you book with PC Travel.

1. If you are a PC Financial Mastercard holder, you will receive 20 points for every 400 you spend on PC Travel
2. If you are a PC Financial World Mastercard holder, you will receive 20 points for every 400 you spend on PC Travel
3. If you are a PC Financial World Elite Mastercard holder, you will receive 30 points for every 400 you spend on PC Travel.

Translating this into dollar amounts:

For every 10,000 points you earn, you will earn $ 10 in Optimum Points, which is equivalent to your cashback as it is deducted from purchases at computer stores.

If you book with PC Travel and have a card with the maximum value of the PC Financial World Elite Card, you will receive 30 points for every dollar spent. This means that to earn 10,000 points you need to spend approximately $ 333 to earn $ 10 in Optimum Points. This is the equivalent of 3% cashback.

If you don’t have a max card and are only earning 20 points for every dollar you will have to spend $ 500 to get $ 10 in Optimum points, which equates to 2% in optimal point prizes.

3% is an excellent point reward for a free credit card. Elite rewards such as travel medical insurance are also available when purchasing flights.

PC Travel vacations vs Redtag.ca vacations

I made a comparison of an identical vacation from Toronto to Cancun, Mexico. There was the same hotel, Smart Cancun by Oasis, which cost $ 400 168 on PC Travel but only $ 968 on redtag.ca. That’s a huge difference of $ 200. The PC Optimum points you earn cannot even make up for the difference.

It is for this purpose that we strive to provide you with the best resources to keep your desktop computer safe and healthy as you get to or from your destination.

Finding free, public Wi-Fi

Photo: Ian Paul Starbucks offers free Wi-Fi for weary travelers (and hipsters).

If you’re looking for free Wi-Fi, it’s best to look for a coffee shop. Starbucks locations usually offer free Wi-Fi, and you may not even need to purchase a product to use it. (Of course, if you’re camping in a coffee shop to use Wi-Fi for a while, it’s polite to buy something.) In some cases, you may need to purchase something in advance and ask for your Wi-Fi store password. Companies that offer Wi-Fi often have a Wi-Fi sign on a window or door.

Luckily for us, free Wi-Fi is spreading to other types of businesses. For example, you’ll find free Wi-Fi at McDonalds, Starbucks, Panera Bread, some grocery stores, many bookstores, and even some car dealerships and gas stations. Of course, if you plan to pull out your laptop and stay for a while, you’ll probably be better off finding a cafe or restaurant than sitting in the grocery store parking lot.

You can also find free Wi-Fi in public areas. Free Wi-Fi is spreading through public parks in various big cities, and public libraries often offer free Wi-Fi as well. It depends on your location. Indeed, while free Wi-Fi can be found in public parks in New York and Paris, you likely won’t find Wi-Fi in small parks.

WiFiFreeSpot.com offers a solid list of Wi-Fi open points, but the most comprehensive list of Wi-Fi hotspots we’ve found is available with the JiWire Wi-Fi Finder app for iOS and Android. Its database of hotspots is huge and the app sorts hotspots by free and paid status. Moreover, JiWire Wi-Fi Finder works offline, guiding your way to the network in places without internet.

Buying Wi-Fi Access

If you are staying in a hotel, please check in advance if it offers Wi-Fi. Believe it or not, some hotels still don’t offer Wi-Fi! Many of them only offer a wired Ethernet connection, while others do not offer internet access at all. If you’re just in the destination by cable, the free version of Connectify can turn your Windows PC into a Wi-Fi hotspot for phones, tablets, and other devices. (The premium offer unlocks other useful tools.)

Some hotels offer Wi-Fi for free to all of their guests, while some will charge an additional fee for this privilege – usually around $ 10 to $ 15 a day. You can often pay for Wi-Fi access when booking a room. If you don’t buy Wi-Fi in advance, you can usually contact reception while you’re there and buy Wi-Fi, assuming of course that the hotel actually offers it.

Airports also often offer Wi-Fi. Wireless internet is available free of charge at some airports. Others offer time-limited Wi-Fi and charge for extra time. And still others charge for all Wi-Fi access. If you are curious, you can check the information on the airport website before your departure. Any time you spend outside of the cellular network can save you data and therefore money.

Many airports and other locations that offer paid Wi-Fi access use Boingo. While you can buy Wi-Fi access for the hour or on the fly in these locations, you can also easily connect to Boingo Wi-Fi paid hotspots and get unlimited access if you pay for a Boingo subscription. Cost varies by location, with unlimited access to Boingo hotspots costing $ 10 / month in North America, $ 35 / month in Europe, and $ 59 / month for two devices. If you will be traveling close to many Boingo hotspots – you can view Boingo hotspots by location on the Boingo website and download their location for offline use – this could be a good deal, especially in North America.

Alternatively, you can always take the tried and true “internet cafe” route, although it can be difficult to find away from larger cities.

I travel with my Macbook Air and I love it. I have no complaints about that. The battery is starting to wear out a bit, but it’s now four years old so to be expected. When it’s time to replace it, I will definitely replace it with a new Macbook Air.

PC Travel vs. Costco Travel – Car Rentals

Considering PC Travel has a car rental option, I figured I’d be comparing PC Travel and Costco Travel.

In my first search, renting a car from Vancouver International Airport, PC Travel was ahead of Costco Travel. It is worth noting, however, that from PC Travel I would rent a car through Dollar (I’ve never heard of them), while at Costco Travel I would rent through Budget. It doesn’t seem like an apple to an apple. As I have never rented at Dollar before, I would have felt more comfortable renting with a more established brand like Budget.

When I did another search, renting a car from LA International, Costco Travel came to light when both parties showed me the cost of renting a car while renting through Alamos.

Unless you are picky about which car rental company you rent your car from, PC Travel may show you some cheaper car rental options depending on your pickup location. Overall, PC Travel car rental prices tend to be more expensive than the other options. It’s not worth booking through PC Travel just to find out more PC Optimum points.

PC Travel vs. Costco Travel – Vacation

As both PC Travel and Costco Travel have the option to search for vacation packages, I thought it would be worth comparing them.

When I was looking for a Maui vacation package, Costco Travel was a mile ahead of me. Interestingly, the Costco vacation package includes a car rental, while the PC Travel vacation package only includes flight and hotel. If you factor in the cost of renting a car, Costco Travel is definitely the better site to book a Maui vacation package. After a few more searches for vacations, I’ve come to the conclusion that PC Travel vacation prices are much more expensive than other travel booking sites like Costco Travel and Expedia. While you will earn a lot of PC Optimum points for booking through PC Travel, I figured it’s not worth it.

Saw tons of broken WiFi antennas from this common oversight. Other common items will be the hardware dongles used to convert display output from graphics cards.

Best mid-range Mini PC

The best mid-range mini PC for gaming is the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X and Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti based system.

You may be surprised at what can fit in such a small package, but with advances in mini-ITX motherboards, small-sized high-capacity power supplies, and the use of smart partitions and ribbon cables, you can squeeze a high-end gaming machine into such a small mini computer for games. It’s the best little gaming PC for those who want a discrete graphics card but still want everything to be cheap and fun in a compact PC.

To accommodate a discrete graphics card while keeping a nice and small design, we opted for the Core 500 chassis by Fractal Design. This case is slightly larger than the InWin Chopin, but has enough space for graphics cards up to 310mm in length and will fit a standard ATX power supply. Speaking of the PSU, we opted for the EVGA 600 BR PSU that will adequately power all your components, and its brown performance rating will produce less heat, improving the thermals in the small computer case. When it comes to storage, we again chose Western Digital’s NVMe SSD. And for RAM, we chose a 16GB Corsair Vengeance LPX running at 3200MHz, which should be enough for overall productivity and gaming.

When you opt for the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X processor, one of the best gaming processors you can buy, and the Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti graphics card, you get quite a popular hardware, capable of playing all the latest games in a small package with a big bang for your buck. The motherboard is the same as the budget version, and the Gigabyte Aorus B450-I provides all the features you need. Together, these components give the machine 12 threads of processing power, as well as some serious chops for 1440p games. And thanks to the 1080p screen, you can play all the latest games at their highest settings without blinking an eye and at a minimum of 60 frames per second.

Best High-end Mini PC

The best high-end mini-computer for gaming is the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X and Nvidia RTX 2080 Super based system.

If you’re not desperate to squeeze your minicomputer into a shoe box and are prepared for light weight without the full aesthetics of an ATX tower, then the sleek design of the NZXT H210i case – with a great cable management system and USB-C connectivity on the front panel – perfect for building a mini-tower computer.

For the motherboard, we’re using the ASUS ROG Strix X570-I Gaming, which is one of the best gaming motherboards you can buy, allowing us to move to the X570 chipset and the 24-thread Ryzen 9 3900X CPU. Pair it with one of the best graphics cards you can buy, the Nvidia RTX 2080 Super, and you have one of the most space-efficient configurations available. We would have preferred the newest RTX 3080, but as Nvidia’s Ampere card issues continue to be an issue for at least a few months, you’ll only find the RTX 2080 Super at the moment – besides, you’ll be a serious challenge to squeeze it all out by looking at how big the cards in the series are 30. It should get you through every game at 1440p as well as handle a large number of games in 4K. Check out our guide to the best gaming monitor,to take full advantage of the power of 2080 Super.

Due to the slightly larger structure of the housing, we managed to fit the Cooler Master liquid with RGB lighting into a 120-mm CPU cooler. As for storage, we again chose the 1TB Western Digital NVMe SSD. However, the NZXT case does have vacant slots for 3.5 inch hard drives if you want to expand that with your large game collection.

mini PC component buying guide

Here’s our handy video guide on buying components for a mini gaming computer.

There are more options for small gaming PCs than ever before, thanks to both motherboard makers using the mini-ITX PC factor and CPU manufacturers like AMD taking compact graphics power seriously.

The most important thing is to make sure the case you buy will fit the pieces you want to press into it. Compare the dimensions of your graphics card with the length of the case and the distance from the PCIe slot to the back plate and the front of the case. Choose smaller components whenever possible, for example choosing an M.2 NVMe SSD over an SSD or a hard drive connected via SATA.

If the size of your kit is the most important factor, start with the case and motherboard that suit your requirements, then select the components from there. If it is secondary to your components, choose the smallest AIB model of the graphics card you want and then choose the smallest decent case and motherboard that go with it.

And it’s so easy to create a minicomputer for gaming, whether you’re building on a budget or looking to create monstrous hardware with a small footprint. The only thing standing in the way is your imagination. Well, that’s your bank balance.

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Updated: January 24, 2022

When he’s not browsing Amazon, raging over stocks of graphics cards in search of his scruffy gear – doesn’t look good for a hardware developer – you can find him on a mountain bike or playing your current favorites: Forza Horizon 4, CS: GO, and Microsoft Flight Simulator.