Anyone take a carry on with Italia airlines lately?

Are you asking about two bags? A 17in laptop is fairly big. Last year we did a standard carry on. I am sure it weighed more than 17 lbs but it was small carryon. It wasn't challenged and didn't see anyone else being weighed. I also had a small shoulder bag, maybe 11 by 17 by 2. Had a small netbook with some guide books. Again, nothing said. All of this is a little dependent on the gate personal.

I believe that there is an official weight restriction, and 17 lbs. sounds about right. However, I have never had Alitalia weigh my carry-on luggage --- and I made three trips to Italy last year, each of which included at least one leg on Alitalia. As long as the carry-in fits wheels/bottom first into the overhead and your personal bag fits under the seat, you should be okay.

Lost, I'm not sure what "now I am hearing" means, and I would suggest you check the airline's web site and/or call their customer service. Limits are likely different for transoceanic, other international and domestic flights. For transoceanic flights, I was told that it is the limits of the of the transoceanic flight that govern, including on any connecting flights on the same ticket. That worked for me last year when connecting to another flight with lower limits. But, Alitalia was not involved. On many domestic flights in Italy, the limits on carry-on size and weight are much lower and are sometimes strictly enforced. Perhaps related to the size of the planes involved and how full the flight is.

Larry's point is very important. The official limits on carry-ons and checked bags can be very different for trans-Atlantic flights vs. ones within Europe. Be sure you are checking the correct ones that apply to your flight, before you worry unnecessarily.