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Re:Former student destroys 59 university computers using USB... by Someone on Friday April 19, 2019 @05:37AM (#19698159)
In that case, you want to do a lot more than brick it; you want to destroy disks, ROM, and in many cases even PCB boards.

Explosives will destroy, but recognizable parts will survive. Your safest bet probably is burning your computer, fast and thoroughly.

I think white phosphorous is a popular choice for this kind of thing because it’s relatively easy and safe to transport, store, and deploy (compared to, say, strong acids such as aqua regia)

Re:Former student destroys 59 university computers using USB... by chongli on Friday April 19, 2019 @09:57AM (#19699636)
What about thermite? Melt right through the steel platters of a hard disk!
Re:Former student destroys 59 university computers using USB... by bjoli on Friday April 19, 2019 @10:06AM (#19699698)
Thermite is surprisingly bad at killing disks beyond recoverability.

Search for "and that's how I lost my other eye" from defcon23. Probably available on YouTube.