>I have never seen the swabbing being used here but I can understand that and the testing of the environment directly around the laptop. Interesting. I thought it was all security-theatre but makes a bit more sense now.

They check for explosives. They boot it because it's less likely a working laptop has any room for internal explosives. My battery died on my old laptop, so I started carrying it without the battery. I had to remove the battery bay cover to show it was empty and was taken to a place to plug it in.

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>>I think there are several reasons:
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>>- Can't obscure the laptop with other items in the bag, making it difficult to see it
>>- Jim's answer ... easier to swap it if they want, but I can't remember ever having my laptop swabbed, but the bag has been.
>>- Easier access if they want you to boot it up, which has happened a couple of times to me.
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>>>Anyone know why recently you must remove your laptop from its case before sending it through the x-ray machine at airport security? What difference can the laptop case make?