I'd give it a shot as-is. I've flown with a netbook a few times and the neanderthal nazis in the blue shirts haven't ever given it a second glance, possibly because they're too stupid to know what a computer is or maybe because the drone was near the end of its shift and was getting too tired to pay attention to shiny objects to steal.

If they make an issue of it, go back and check it as baggage - no sense in making it easy for the subhuman thieving facsists to take from you. Might also want to photograph/video yourself at the departing airport with the laptop in your possession and an independent, disinterested 3rd party to verify the date and time too. That way, if the TSA pond scum searching baggage unlawfully appropriate your laptop, you have some evidence that you did indeed have it with you before you left and maybe we can have the TSOs responsible put up against a wall and shot. ...Or at least charged with larceny.