There has been a change in security policy at American airports. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is allowing laptops to be left in specially manufactured laptop cases and x-rayed taken with the laptop in those cases:

“…Passengers who have what the Transportation Security Administration calls “checkpoint-friendly” laptop cases — so-called because X-ray machines can easily see through them — will be free to go through security without opening the case. The policy change by the TSA could speed up security lines for the 2 million people who take U.S. flights each day and reduce incidents in which laptops are damaged, lost or forgotten in airports.”

link: Fliers cheer laptop policy change

The security personnel still may ask that random laptops have closer inspection. For example, a traveller may asked to power on the laptop and show that it is a functioning machine. It is prudent to have the battery charged so that this is possible. It would raise security suspicions if the battery failed to power up the machine.

And remember, the security procedure to avoid for the laptop is the metal detection sequence. That will cause damage.

Catherine Forsythe