It's generally NOT a good idea to plug in your laptop at random locations without having a surge arrestor between you and an uncertain source of AC power. You'd be surprised at how office or industrial facilities have outdated/damaged or miswired outlets. All it takes is one good surge or over-voltage incident to damage your laptop.
APC has been making this stuff for years, and in my experience (having installed dozens of their UPS units on location) it's a small investment to make sure your laptop is protected while charging ANYWHERE.