Welcome to the TravelPod forums

[clangrantau]

I have heard that when going trough airport security, there is a good chance
you may be asked to turn on your laptop. As mine is at least five years old and
I have not replaced the old battery. And just use normal mains power and therefore
don't want to be held up going through customs, does anyone have any ideas apart
from packing it in my checked baggage where it may get damaged

[barsie]

Never seen anyone have to turn a laptop on. ONly if after it going through the scanner and it looking like internal parts of your laptop are not 'normal' would they do this to check it's actually a laptop.

[greekcypriot]

I always carry my laptop along when I travel. They only ask if they can open it, but this does not mean that they switch it on.

[mitchritz]

yea i also carry my laptop on my travel they only check it not open it

[mitchritz]

yea laptop is an basic need of traveling now a days

[travel4eternity]

I've never seen one turned on before. They are accepted as a traveling item; many airlines allow a carry on luggage AND a purse or laptop case. I think the only reason they would want to turn it on is if for some reason they did not believe it was a laptop.

[jacquesl]

I know in Canada they border agents randomly turn on computers to check the files. This is because of porn and stuff people try to bring into the country; so don't think you can come in Canada and not expect your computer to be checked..... they don't do them all but you could be the one that has his checked. I would not be surprised if more countries have adopted such policies too.