Dear Geek,
I’m going on a work trip next week, and I need to bring my laptop, and an external hard drive on a plane. Is the X-ray going to wreak my laptop? Can it erase my files?
Sincerely,
“I’m leaving on a jet plane”
Dear leaving,
Airplanes say that electronics need to be in your carry on bags. The X-rays used at airports produce electromagnetic energy, which is NOT magnetic, and will not damage your laptops or erase any files. Any kind of computer, tablet, or phone will be safe from X-ray damage. The only thing these X-rays can harm would be camera film, because it is light sensitive, but not many people still carry camera film.
The only thing to be worried about on the plane is physical damage, which is an easy fix. Get a good case for your laptop, and make sure your electronics are stored properly, so they don’t shift and break.
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