transporting mini on plane

First, I recommend you pack the mini in the box it came it. That packaging is the best to prevent damage. If you do decide to put it in your carry-on luggage, you would have to take it out of the luggage and out of the box. It is highly unlikely that the x-ray equipment will damage the mini. I have taken both an iBook and a PowerBook through the airport screening with no ill effects.

I know nearly 2 months have passed since this post but I now can report on my own experience in transporting a Mac Mini on a plane.

I travelled to and from the UK this month. I am in Canada. I had to carry both my laptop (non-Mac 😟 ) and my Mac Mini. I packed the mac mini in its own original box. Keyboard and mouse were waiting for me at my destination.

Upon arrival at the airport, I discovered that I was overweight on my checked luggage so had to pull a couple things out and into carry on luggage, which included the laptop and the Mini in another bag. They did not check the weight of my carry on stuff.

The Mini arrived in perfect condition and performed flawlessly during my stay there.

Upon returning, I met up with the airline agent from ****. My checked bags were ok weight wise. But she was refusing to allow me to carry two bags and a portfolio onto the plane with me. Same airline. She said, "You will have to check one of your computers." I said,"You cannot ask me to check a computer. We both know it will be ruined. Does the Aitline want to pay me now for a replacement?"

She called a supervisor and was told to allow me to proceed onboard with both my laptop and the Mini.

Everything arrived home completely intact as well.

ISMH...

In 2 places it states the Mac mini coverage is Global along with the Portable Notebooks. Desktop models are covered only from the country of its origonal sale. I think there was some confusion where the Mac Mini fit into the description. (Desktop or Portable but that is clear. See below link)

...Ron

""Global repair coverage for portable computers and Mac mini""

http://www.apple.com/support/products/proplan.html

christine24...

Personally I would insure it and send it the UPS† route as with any other cherished possessions. († or any prefered shipping service)

There is risks with sensitive items with high altitudes that may come into play as other risk factors in possible damage not covered by the Airline's Apes. Clothes and computers equals static so in my opinion that is a no-no. Clothing thread is also bad for optical (CD-DVD) digestion.

BTW It is a highly respectable question and you should never be ashamed to ask. By not asking this question it may lead one into doing something that is not to wise to do.

Have a safe trip! ...Ron

Pack the hard drives in your checked luggage. Make sure they are well wrapped in bubble pack, completely and in the middle of your suitcase.

Honestly, it IS safer to ship them rather than take them with you as Security has the right to tear their way into your luggage with little or no reason. I had a suitcase ruined by Security on my last trip. They were very nice about it. They cut my combination locks, tore open the zippers so they could not work again and of course. found nothing. Having completely destroyed any possible luggage security that I could have for the rest of my trip. Did I mention they taped the remains of the locks to a card, hung from the handle stating that what they had just done is legal and I have no chance of receiving any restitution for my losses.

Short answer, Christine, ship them, with your system or separately, but ship them.

Just wanted to chime in and say thank-you for posting this question. I have to make a transAtlantic flight in Sept. and had fully expected to bring my newly-purchased mini or imac (haven't quite decided yet) w/carry-on. Sounds like it's a bad idea. Thanks everyone for input.

That is a question best resolved through reading the Mac Mini Manual, at least I hope it is in there. I did look but found nothing regarding power specs. T-Man, check your power adapter. There must be something on there that tells you.

One thing will limit use, the form of plug on your system. If you are in North America, it will be a 5-15P (plug)for a 110V / 120V, 60 Hz system. If you are in Europe, you will likely be on 230V, 50 Hz and have a IEC-320-C14 (plug).

So, my point is regardless of your location, your mac mini will still require a plug adapter, even if it is dual voltage.

Thank you for finding that Barbara,

So, to tie up T-Man's question, yes, youre mac Mini is dual voltage but you will need a plug adapter to change from one type of supply to the other as I detailed in my first post.

Cheers

Back up your important personal and business data to CD's to hand carry on the plane. The screening equipment is not supposed to harm magnetic or optical media but requesting hand screening would be the safest option. It's only anecdotal evidence but I've heard too many stories from friends about storage media having problems after being subjected to screening equipment to feel totally comfortable with it.

Entrusting priceless data, or anything else that is not easily replaceable, to checked luggage is, at best, an extremely high risk strategy. Also, some airlines will not cover damage to computer equipment in checked luggage. Call ahead to find out where you find a written copy of the airline's policy.

Making an extra set of CD's to ship separately from your hard drive using a different shipper or even using the same shipper but shipping on a different day would be also be good idea.

It's been my experience that using UPS or FedEx air versus ground is a better option if you don't want your package to go astray or be used as football. My guess is that a shipper will only honor insurance for the worth of the hard drive and will not cover data loss or recovery. If someone at the shipper claims differently ask to see the insurance information in writing.

I have found from shipping a lot of breakables over many years that crumpled newspaper actually works quite a bit better than bubble wrap to cushion fragile items. Double and even triple boxing makes a big difference as well. Put a piece of paper with your name, address and phone number inside your shipping box in case the label on the outside of the box gets damaged or torn off.

I'm doing a transpac move of my mini in 6 months, all these tips are very good to follow.

Also keep in mind Apple will not support your mini any more when you leave the country, I have a word for that but they won't let me post it =)

Honestly, it IS safer to ship them rather than take them with you as Security has the right to tear their way into your luggage with little or no reason. I had a suitcase ruined by Security on my last trip. They were very nice about it. They cut my combination locks, tore open the zippers so they could not work again and of course. found nothing. Having completely destroyed any possible luggage security that I could have for the rest of my trip. Did I mention they taped the remains of the locks to a card, hung from the handle stating that what they had just done is legal and I have no chance of receiving any restitution for my losses.

Sounds like you didn't use a TSA-approved lock. There's a logo on many locks that indicate that the TSA has a master key and thus won't have to break your lock.

I took mine on carry-on and had no problems whatsoever after six hours of travelling.

I have had my bags ravaged by Security but it was my cheched bags that had combination locks on them. When discussing carry-on bags,NEVER use locks of any kind.

Passing through Security, both ways this time was a breeze. There was never a question raised about what I had in my bags.

Most, not all. See this. The most notable recent exception was the first generation imac G5. (Latest models are okay.)