Other Asian, Australian and South Pacific Frequent Flyer Programs - Hong Kong airlines - carry on question

Not sure where this belongs, so I'll try this topic.

I am flying out of HKG on Hong Kong airlines. Their web site lists carry on allowance of fairly standard size but limited to 15lbs (and no extras, evidently). I just bought the lightest bag I could, not taking my photo camera at all. But I do have a scuba regulator + dive computer, and also must take a laptop. Even with my lightest laptop total weight is above 15lbs (about 20 actually).

Does anyone have a practical first hand experience with this airline? How likely am I to have problems getting on the flight?

At this point none of the items can be checked in as they are expensive/complex electronic etc. devices and I can't really leave any one of these at home. Worst case scenario - other than losing money I paid for a ticket, do I have any other options?

I'll add another question - HX says they have interline agreement with United, but United (my inbound flight to HKG) says they do not. I am guessing whatever United says - goes, and I won't be able to check luggage all the way through?

I have brought full US style rollaboards + laptop bag on HX several times and no one has blinked in eye at boarding.

I have never checked in at HKG, only picked up tix at the transit desk there so dont know if they care about it at checkin or not.

Safe travels

Thank you for the info! I'll try to keep my carry on out of sight at check in ;) It's a back-pack style carry on.

(As an aside, quite convenient - when the primary checked luggage is rolling style - keeps one hand free )

While we are on this topic:
I have 4 hours between flights (assuming EWR-HKG is on time, which is not a given - it's been delayed quite a bit lately). What kind of time frame are we talking about to deplane, pass immigration, collect check in luggage and go through customs in HKG?

Thank you for the info! I'll try to keep my carry on out of sight at check in ;) It's a back-pack style carry on.

(As an aside, quite convenient - when the primary checked luggage is rolling style - keeps one hand free )

While we are on this topic:
I have 4 hours between flights (assuming EWR-HKG is on time, which is not a given - it's been delayed quite a bit lately). What kind of time frame are we talking about to deplane, pass immigration, collect check in luggage and go through customs in HKG?
IME a worst case scenario would be no more than one hour for all of this. A 4 hour layover is plenty of time, and gives you a nice cushion in case of arrival delay. If travelling this time of year, the bigger issue is whether HKG is being affected by a storm or typhoon on the day of your arrival + departure...but in that event, both types of flights would be affected pretty much across the board.