Split what hairs?  I read his comment to mean he'd bring a netbook that he can afford to lose -- "disposable", if U.S. Customs decides to seize it.  Further, that being a separate computer that contains no data of importance to him.  Merely something that provides an interface to the Internet, once past the border, for convenience and for the security of starting with a machine in a known safe state (well, assuming Customs doesn't install anything on it) as opposed to borrowing someone else's machine or using a public one.<p>My one caveat would be to suggest comparing prices at home and in the U.S., and if it's significantly cheaper in the U.S. and you have enough time to shop without stress or sacrifice, consider buying the machine in the U.S. -- unless it would be too much hassle to bring it back (import taxes or whatever).  (Years ago, a friend's boss went back to Germany with an entire Minolta or whatever SLR setup (body, lenses, tripod, etc) that would have cost him something like twice as much at home.  He found some way to get it past German customs -- he may have just taken the chance that he would not be challenged.)<p>I've seen similar comments before.  And it mirrors the approach I would take if/when I travel abroad and the equipment is not my employer's.  Any data I need I'll leave strongly encrypted on a data store I can access over the Net.  Bonuses:  Theft will only risk the price of the machine, and if I feel uncertain about its health upon my return (or during the trip), I can simply wipe it and reinstall.