Best way to ship a computer

I have been looking at the best ways to ship my PC tower and flatscreen monitor. I toyed with shipping them vs. packing it on a plane but I know with everything else I will be taking with me maybe shipping the pc is the better option. So looking to pack up 1 large box via mail, hoping for the cheapest way possible. Any suggestions on shippers and ways to save a bit of money?

I'd take it on the plane, to be honest.

Actually, I'd pop out the hard drive and ditch the tower and put the hard drive in a new tower once I was in the UK OR I'd get a laptop and use the HD from the tower as an external.

sadly its my work machine (video editing and graphics) so it would be more cost effective to keep it. Just debating breaking it down, bubble wrapping it and taking it with or shipping it

I have a glass lantern I'm planning to bring. I'm having UPS package it and taking it in my carry-on. They have a packing/shipping guarantee, as well, so that's an option for your computer: http://www.theupsstore.com/products/pac.html

how do airports feel about boxes, could my second luggage just be a box with my pc in it carefully wrapped?

how do airports feel about boxes, could my second luggage just be a box with my pc in it carefully wrapped?

I believe so. I've seen boxes on the luggage carousel, and a few UK-Yers have brought Rubbermaid bins as luggage. http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=53091.0

thanks!

What I did when I came over from the UK to the US, was I bought one of those hard suit cases, pulled the hard drives and put those in my carry on, and then just packed the rest in the case, clothes helped with padding etc.  Granted the security folks at Heathrow had a good look, and this was before 9/11, so I don't know what would happen now.
Just a thought, now saying that, when I plan on going back to the UK, I have a lot more computer equipment, still not sure on whether I'll ship it or ditch it.

Depends if it's worth it.  Computer equip weighs alot, so figure that into how much you will pay to ship it / how much extra youll pay for the extra weight in your luggage.  Are the components new? in good shape? Mix and matched?  You may find it cheaper to salvage the newer components and use them to build yourself a new machine once you're in the UK... plus you wont have to bother with power converters and such.

thanks for your tips guys, I am biting the bullet and probably selling it to my brother.. oh how I will miss my gaming pc