I was travelling at the time of the ban. Thankfully I wasn't affected by it, but the laptop ban was even more boneheaded. No electronics larger than a cellphone

I was travelling at the time of the ban. Thankfully I wasn't affected by it, but the laptop ban was even more boneheaded. No electronics larger than a cellphone. What does that even mean? Had to go thru another security check right at the gate. Everyone was annoyed, especially the airline staff. Got lucky because I had a check in and I heard about it beforehand. But what if I only had a carry on? My laptop would still be stuck in dubai.