How to handle the laptop in destination events if traveling with a carry-on?

My preferred solution: backpack + carry on bag with wheels

1. Everything important and what you need in the air goes in the backpack: laptop, mouse, power supply, USB cable, passports, money, travel docs, tablet, book, food, water, noise cancelling ear phones, etc.
2. Everything else goes in the carry on
3. Carry on goes in the overhead bin, backpack goes under the seat (so it's always accessible even if the seat belt sign is on for 5 hours straight)
4. Make sure nothing really important is in the carry on. It's not unusual for regulation sized carry-ons to be force checked anyway because it's either a small plane with undersized bins or the overhead bins are already full by the time you get on. If it's a "must have" it goes under the seat.
5. It's helpful to plan the layout of the backpack up front and memorize it. Once in the seat, there is almost no room to rummage around in there and lighting tends to be bad.
6. Backpack handle should fit over carry on handle so you can wheel the whole thing as a single set while keeping your hands and back free. It's also easier to get to your papers during check in, immigration, security, etc.
7. Carry on should have 4 wheels that can all pivot independently, this allow tight turns and makes it easier to navigate narrow aircraft isles.

I have probably done half a million miles this way.