ARCHIVED: Should I carry my laptop through airport metal detectors?

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You should not carry your laptop through metal detectors because of the strong magnetic pulse these detectors create. Security wands create the same magnetic pulse and can also damage your laptop. Even though x-rays won't damage your laptop, sending it through an airport x-ray machine is usually not a good idea, since it makes it easy for people to steal your laptop. Usually you can ask the airport security staff to inspect your laptop manually. However, with the increase of security, many airports are now making laptops subject to both x-ray and ETD (explosive trace detection) inspection. All laptops must be removed from their cases, since the case without the laptop must be x-rayed as well. Be prepared to demonstrate operation of the laptop.

It's always a good idea to back up your data before taking your laptop on a trip.