I flew from Southeast Asia to DOH to the U.S. today on QR in business class. No problem taking my iPad in the cabin and using it on my first flight from Southeast Asia to DOH, then placing my iPad in my carry-on bag (protected by lots of clothing), locking the carry-on bag, and gate checking it at the gate in DOH for my onward flight to the U.S. The gate agent at DOH added a priority tag for me, slapped "fragile" stickers on both sides of my carry-on, and handed my carry-on to a colleague to put in the hold. The bag arrived fine at baggage claim in the U.S., was one of the first on the conveyor thanks to the priority tag, and my enclosed iPad was cold, but otherwise unscathed.

Also, for those with questions about headphones, I can't speak to over-the-ear headphones, but I can state that I was allowed to bring my Bose 20i earbuds on the DOH-U.S. flight with me today.