If your overall load is light, shouldn't matter where the bags are located. My commuter mtb is a camel/donkey in that I have attachment points for bags everywhere (so to speak). During virtual teaching we still had to report to the building. I typically carried pants/shirt/laptop (in a bubble wrap sleeve) in one back pannier and lunch (all fits in a tamrac camera bag) on the other side. If cold, I included a Topeak trunk bag on top of the back rack (for cold gear if afternoon warm). No issues on load balance.

Likewise, when shifting the bags up front onto low rider racks, I had no steering/load issues. Axiom Storm Fronts, or Ortlieb Back Rollers for bags. While I will third the comments on the versatility of the Ortlieb's, I can't slot in the Topeak trunk bag if the Orts are on the back rack. If I'm carrying everything and the kitchen sink, the Orts are excellent up front with others in the rear. I do have one of those tiny randee racks up front. Attached (semi-permanently) to it is a modified novelty golf bag that contains a med kit and whatever knick knacks I need to immediately reach. If properly secured, the laptop shouldn't be any less safe front or back. Unless you have some kind of dampening suspension.