Shipping a laptop via FedEx??

Is it worth the risk?

I'm headed for Africa the day I leave the U.K, and was going to leave my laptop with a friend, then run out of the airport when I get back (I have a five-hour layover at Heathrow before leaving for LAX), pick it up and run back in.

My parents and travel agent are now strongly suggesting I do NOT leave the airport at all, but ship my laptop heavily insured overnight FedEx before I leave, so I know it's arrived safe and sound, and don't have to worry about the possibility of delayed flights, etc. when we're coming back from Africa.

Which is better?

I say listen to your parents and the travel agent.  You could run into a delay.  Just be sure to back everything up.  Send the back up (s) is a different package.  Give one to a friend as well just in case.

I have an extra hard drive you can bring the computer here and back up if you want.  (Oh wait, you have a Mac, can you do that on a PC back up?)

me so worried about letting my baby go overseas alone! 
I do have an external hard drive I haven't used yet (!) I can put into the suitcase that I guess I can take with me or put in the suitcase I'll have shipped home when I go to Africa.
(thank you for the offer )

Anytime.  You can send me a backup if you want.

If it's insured though you will get a new one and you will have the backup so it will all be fine.

Right... next thing is figuring out 'customs value' as well as how much insurance.

WHY CAN'T I JUST SNAP MY FINGERS AND IT'S ALL DONE.
hrmph.

Right... next thing is figuring out 'customs value' as well as how much insurance.

WHY CAN'T I JUST SNAP MY FINGERS AND IT'S ALL DONE.
hrmph.

Well, you can't do it for this, but you are getting to move back with almost no other hassles.  Lucky you!

Ah, yes, this is true.
Thank you for the reminder .

I shipped my laptop using regular mail to here and it worked out fine.  I just was certain to pack it well.  Good luck!

Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreally?!  Good ol' USPS? 
How long did it take?
How much insurance/customs value did you put on it?
Were you biting your nails the whole time wondering if it would be okay?

Wasn't worried at all cause I had sooo much stuff wrapped around it.  I had owned it for 1-1/2 years, but I don't remember what value I gave it when I insured it (original price was around $1400).  And it took the same amount of time as a normal box did...a few weeks I think at the most (sent it in mid-July and picked it up from the school in August).  This is three years ago so it's all a bit fuzzy in the memories.