Removing components also removes functionality. What if he wants to use it later? I guess he could have another laptop specially for the purpose, he can certain

Removing components also removes functionality. What if he wants to use it later? I guess he could have another laptop specially for the purpose, he can certainly afford that. I think the simplest explanation is whoever was staging the scenery around him didn't think anybody would notice the taped laptop. If they did realize that, they probably would have untaped. It wasn't meant to be a detail you notice or centerpiece of conversation. That's my guess.