We have a similar routine to Tim & Cindy. Never leave the laptop alone while in a tent. We almost always leave it in hotel rooms but don't leave our key at the desk so they can't clean our room. If we have to leave the bikes unattended for a while with the panniers on we make the bag with the computer in it the least accessible (up against a wall, behind the other bike) and lock them up well. We don't flash our laptop around. We very rarely take it out in public and even if we're staying with a family, unless we get to know them really well we won't admit to having a computer with us.