Having moved continents, I know I wouldn't have been happy without at least a few things more than I could fit in hand luggage. Your baggage will follow you, even if it doesn't make the same flight. I know from experience containers can take a long time, might make things more comfortable as you settle in to have some of your bits and pieces with you. Depending on the airline, airport, route etc. you may find that even though the connection is short, they are good at baggage connections - I've had luggage make a tight connection and me not make it before (passenger plane to plane longer distance than bag plane to plane!)

Legal connections at airports are supposed to include baggage being transferred too I think!