I’m moving from New York to Florida, and I need to bring my desktop PC with me. I’m traveling by air, and I don’t want my computer to get damaged. I’m thinking I’ll pack up the tower and take it onboard with me as a carry-on item, and check the other stuff. Is this going to be easy to do? I need to avoid having the PC x-rayed during the baggage screening process, right? Any suggestions on this? I’ve never traveled with computer equipment, and this is stressing me out.
X-raying a computer doesn’t harm it at all. Is that why you plan on taking it as a carry-on? I doubt you’d be allowed to do that.
The easiest way to send it would probably be FedEx or UPS. I believe you can instruct them to hold the package for customer pickup, or if there someone already at your ultimate destination have it delivered there. That assumes you aren’t moving other stuff with a moving company, in which case you should send it with the rest of your stuff.
I planned on taking it as carry-on because I’m afraid it would get damaged if I checked it. I’m not allowed to do this? 
I really didn’t want to ship it. Again, I’m afraid of damage to my computer and my wallet.
Most airlines have a 40-50" linear measurement (ht.+wt.+len.) and a 40 lb. weight restriction on carry-on baggage. An average desktop computer meets or exceeds these values. Airlines may charge you extra to bring it, or refuse it altogether if it exceeds their specifications. That doesn’t take into account item type restrictions. What if security doesn’t let you take it? What will you do with the machine that is now stuck at the airport? If you do get it on the plane, will you be able to fit it into overhead storage? How will you secure it? Remember, you have to keep it with you. You’d become an easy target for theft, too. Furthermore, with no packaging, it is easily damaged. If you trip, certainly a possibility in an airport, the machine would probably crash onto the floor.
Packing and shipping the machine is the easiest and safest way to move it.
You could just take the hard drive out, carry that on, and ship the rest.
You guys are right. I’m shipping it FexEx. For some reason I thought it was going to be expensive to do this, but it’s not. Thanks for the advice.
Doesn’t tinfoil block x-rays?
Or you could make some sort of lead container for your computer.
Just kidding 
X-rays shouldn’t harm your computer, though your mileage may vary. I know people who found it cheaper to ship computers over the mail than upload gigabytes of data to their colleagues.
Your computer will be safer in a box, going by UPS than it would be crammed under your seat onthe airplane. (And that assumes you’ll be able to get it past security and past the gate agent, and that it fits under the seat.
Not to mention, it’s going to be an awkward thing to lug along as most desktop PCs (other than those little Shuttle-style ones) don’t have handles. What will you do if TSA wants you to boot it up at security, like they occasionally do with laptops? Carry a monitor also? If it’s a metal case, are you prepared to open it so they can visually inspec the insides? Are you willing to let them paw through its insides, pushing cables around so they can see what’s in there?
Make your trip easier - back up your data to CD. Take the PC to a “UPS Store” or similar pack and ship shop. Have them pack the thing properly and ship it. Take the CDs with you on the flight.
I take mine with me. You can ask for a seat with a 12 volt plug so you can use it on the flight. A decent laptop case should keep it safe under the seat. Don’t let it out of your sight for a second. If you ship it, make sure you insure it.
Good advice for a laptop, but the OP is talking about a desktop PC. Whole 'nother kettle of fish.
Another thing to remember is that your desktop computer got to you in a shipping box of some sort (unless you built it yourself or had your local computer shop assemble it for you), and undoubtedly got bounced around plenty. They’re built to take that kind of handling.