On a flight not that long ago I broke my laptop screen (cheap laptop) when the person in front jerked their seat back super fast. It got dimmer but days later it stopped working. It was just a weird angle they slammed right into it at the top and it hit my hand. A scenario I don't think I could replicate if I tried just bad luck and I don't blame the person obviously.

I have a flight coming up soon with a brand new laptop and really need to use it on my tripi. I would ask the person in front but I know reality the person might forget etc or I don't want to encourage them to recline. I don't even want to bring it up. Any advice on what size water bottle to use to at least slow them down from reclining their seat? I am totally willing to let them recline I just want to know first and would prefer not to get in a whole discussion. The flat water bottles empty obviously look ideal jut not sure the ideal height. Any frequent flyers advice greatly appreciated. I would pay for economy plus no problem but only middle seats open and I have an isle seat so that's a tough $79 to spend. I will totally let them recline if they want. I don't want to buy that knee defender thing id rather it just be an oooops water bottle in the way ill move it, go ahead and recline into me.