Given that this is a laptop we’re talking about, OP is definitely over selling it. Bring a backpack, unpack the laptop box into your backpack (assuming the box is too big to fit in the backpack itself). Something bigger like a TV would be more problematic.
The main worry is that being seen with new-in-box fancy electronics makes you look like “guy with money”. It’s not so much that someone’s gonna steal your TV on the subway, but if you can afford a new TV your wallet probably has good stuff in it.
ThisIsFineDotJpeg@sh.itjust.works 2 days ago
Yes this is what I afraid of. Some creepy guy hanging around the mall parking lot, seeing me, a not-so-tough looking young man with a backpack of stuff walking out of an electronic store, then waiting at a bus stop. I’m likely gonna get mugged. (Maybe I’m just being paranoid?)
A few year ago, my mom was about to deposit some money (like few hundreds, its after a holiday season where money/gift exchanges are common) to a nearby bank like 10-15 minute walk away, and someone just strong-armed grabbed her purse that also had her phone in it. The cops were all like “we’re gonna do an investigation”, I never heard about the perp getting caught.
At least if a package is stolen, you have some consumer protections, especially when the thief is the driver themselves. Getting mugged could end up with you being in the hospital + PTSD from the whole ordeal.