>>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?
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>I think like anything else, the picture that they see on the screen is more clear. But as others have said it is a nice visible action that shows that security measures are in place.

Well I believe this started after the cause of the Lockerbie (Pan Am?) bombing was isolated - explosives replacing the battery in some kind of radio.
They used to make you turn it on, but that hasn't happened to me. On the other hand, I did have mine swabbed twice.