Well, I've flown around a lot within Europe and never had problems to take my camera equipment (2 cameras, 1 videocam, a flash, plus tons of cables and accus) and my laptop on board as handluggage. There are some rare cases when a flight is very packed that they will ask you to check-in any access hand luggage, but if you have photo equipment and computers they usually let you on board with two cases.

However, effective from November 2007 there will be a new safety regulation concerning the size of hand luggage for flights starting within the European Community and Switzerland. From that time the maximum size of hand luggage must not exceed 56 x 45 x 25 cms (appr. 22 x 17.5 x 10 inches), but there will be a transitional period of 6 months.

Also watch the regulations on liquids in hand luggage or they will make you throw away your bottle of $150 whiskey or expensive toiletries at the security check.

http://www.gva.aero/en/Portaldata/1/...ete-gva_en.pdf

I would also recommend to choose some 'camouflaged' bags that look like ordinary travel bags. No shrieking colours or stickers/batches and no silver boxes that carry a virtual alarm light that says: 'Hey, attention all people! Expensive photo/computer equipment! Help yourself whenever I look away for a second or bring a friend and hit me over the head!'

Unfortunately I don't have any infos on Mac's over here, but generally there shouldn't be any problems. They are quite common (relatively) over here and Europe isn't like any third or fourth world country. Yes, we even got electricity.