Plan before you leave
Most travel problems with laptops are avoidable with a bit of preparation. Decide whether you really need the laptop, which files you need on it, and what you would do if it were lost, stolen or broken. The answer to the last question drives most of the choices below.
Check the rules that apply to your journey. Airlines, airports, countries and rail operators each have their own policies on electronics and batteries, and these change. Look at the carrier’s and the transport authority’s current guidance instead of relying on general advice, and allow time for questions at the checkpoint.
Protect your data first
- Back up before you go. A copy at home or in the cloud means a lost laptop is a nuisance, not a disaster. Simple backup basics apply, and cloud backups are useful if you will be away from home storage.
- Carry only what you need. Removing sensitive files you will not use reduces what a thief could reach.
- Lock the machine. Use a strong password or other sign-in method, and consider enabling two-factor sign-in on important accounts so a stolen laptop is not a stolen identity.
- Check the encryption options your system offers for the storage drive, and read the maker’s guidance before turning them on, since forgetting a recovery key can lock you out.
- Know how to locate or lock a lost device, if your maker or system provides such a feature, and set it up in advance.
On the road, public Wi-Fi in cafes, hotels and stations deserves caution. Avoid sensitive tasks on open networks where you can, keep software updated and treat public Wi-Fi as untrusted.
Packing
Pack a laptop in a padded compartment or sleeve inside your bag, away from heavy objects that might press on the lid. Put it where it will not be crushed if the bag is squeezed under a seat or in an overhead locker. Avoid packing it tightly against a bottle or anything that can leak.
Before closing it up, shut it down or hibernate it, because a laptop that wakes up in a bag may heat up with no airflow. Sleep modes differ in this respect. Close the lid fully, and make sure nothing, such as a cable or pen, is trapped on the keyboard.
Carry the laptop in your cabin or carry-on bag rather than checked luggage whenever you can. Checked bags are thrown around, can be delayed or lost, and are exposed to temperature changes. Many carriers also restrict spare lithium batteries in checked luggage, so read their rules.
Bring the right charger. A compact spare cable can save a trip, and a charger that suits the voltage in your destination matters. Many laptop adapters accept a wide range of mains voltages, but the label on yours confirms whether they do, and you may still need a plug adapter for the shape of the outlet. A mismatched charger can be damaged or dangerous, so choose carefully if you need to buy a new one while away.
Airport security
Rules differ between airports and change over time, so follow the staff’s instructions and the posted signs. In many places, you may be asked to take the laptop out of the bag and place it in a tray for screening. Have it accessible, charged enough to power on in case an officer asks you to switch it on, and free of clutter. Keep an eye on the tray until you collect it.
Be prepared to hand over the machine briefly, and do not leave it unattended on the belt. Some countries have additional rules about inspecting devices at borders. If you are concerned, check official government travel advice for your route.
Temperature and moisture
Laptops dislike extremes. A hot car, direct sun on a window seat or a freezing trunk can all harm the battery and other parts. Leave the machine in neither.
When moving from cold to warm, condensation can form on and inside cold electronics. Let the laptop warm to room temperature while still in its bag before you open it and turn it on. This usually takes a while, so do not rush it. The same applies in reverse, from a cold-air-conditioned room into humid air.
Avoid rain, sand and spills. A waterproof bag liner or pouch is inexpensive insurance, and keeping drinks in a separate pocket avoids the worst accidents.
Using it in transit
On a plane, train or bus, a small tray table or a lap can leave the laptop at a bad angle, and an unexpected jolt or seat recline can strain hinges and ports or crush the screen. Keep the screen angle modest and close the lid before turbulence or when getting up. Hinges and ports are the first to feel it, a form of hinge wear.
At a hotel, do not leave the laptop in plain sight. A locked bag or a room safe, where available, is better than leaving it on a desk.
Power on the move
Keep the battery reasonably charged before long legs of the journey, and lower brightness and turn off unused wireless features to stretch it, using the same ideas that reduce battery drain. Be cautious about public charging points. Plugging a laptop’s own charger into a wall outlet is generally safer than plugging a device into an unknown USB port, since a public port could be tampered with.
After the trip
Let the laptop return to normal temperature, inspect the case, hinges, ports and screen for damage, and apply any pending updates. If you used public networks or suspect your files were exposed, change important passwords from a trusted device. Keep an eye out for odd behavior and watch for malware warning signs if something seems wrong.