Laptop Locks - Ever Used Them? Opinions?

[MisterMan]

Hi all,

I just got a new mac book and just realized i have the little Kensington lock slot so was thinking about buying a cable to keep my computer locked to something in the house.

I know they are not full proof but it would be nice sometimes to leave the computer out on my desk and not hide it EVERYTIME I sleep or leave the house.

There are lots of burglaries in Phuket so I am not being over paranoid (IMHO).

So I would like to know if anyone has used them and either had them cut? or had their computer severely damaged by some idiot burglar trying to steal it, been burglarized but not had the computer taken..

and general feedback..

I am going to the states soon so will have a wide selection to choose from, quite cheap on Ebay too.

Edited July 10, 2009 by MisterMan

[d0ndela]

When I was working back home in Europe the company required that we all locked our laptops to our tables using lock like the one you posted.

We never had a (successfull) breakin so I can't tell you if they gave any value But we did some tests on a couple of worn-out laptops, and no matter what we did we could not break the locks of, so they are effective!

One important though: with the lock comes various small (I can't recall the English word) "discs" that you put in between the lock and your PC to make a perfect tight fit. If you don't use them the lock kind of dangles and can more easily be rocked back and forth to try and break of, so just put as many "discs" as possible in between to make it all tight and nice.

[Deke]

They are more of a deterrent to the casual thief (like the maid) than the serious one but, overall, I'd say they are worthwhile for the price.

[nidge]

I had to use one for my laptop once as it was company policy. The locks are only a casual deterrent unless they are locked to something secure. I saw many fixed to table legs and the legs were not that strong so could be removed from the table leaving the laptop unprotected. Also if you like to take your laptop off the table and put on your lap it can be a pain in the butt. If someone breaks into your house while you are out i cannot imagine it will take too long to remove the lock from whatever it is fixed to.

[trogers]

Get a 1 tonne safe, and place everything of value into it.

[MisterMan]

Get a 1 tonne safe, and place everything of value into it.

Yes I konw that is the ultimate solution however I just want to leave my laptop online, downloading or whatever when I am out for a bit. I dont mean all day at work....

Also just wondering if anyone had experience with the locks here.. Thanks for the replies

[nikster]

From personal experience: Sure, worth it. I don't have one because I don't leave my laptop out of sight.

But I was once working in Silicon Valley in a cube farm and one of our guys had his laptop snatched during lunch. If you are in an office building you feel pretty safe, right, so we all left laptops and whatnot on the desk. Somebody just walked in and took the laptop as well as his wallet. We noticed this within 5 minutes or so but he was gone, and started buying stuff with the credit card right away...

[JusMe]

I've used my MB and a cable while at the university library for a couple of years now. I know it's not 100% secure, but figure it's a deterrent and might encourage a thief to try someone else's laptop.

I simply attach it to the arm of a good chair. Sure, someone could pick up both and walk off with them, but walking out of the library with a laptop and chair under one's arm would attract a bit of attention.

The cables are inexpensive and discourage theft. Not sure how effective it would be in your home, as any thief who broke in would have time to cut or dismantle the anti-theft device, and wouldn't be watched while doing it.

Still, I'd have one as an encouragement for the thief to head somewhere else.

[Absingjul]

Depends on how sturdy the tiny hole is on each particular model. In general I'd say not very.

[MisterMan]

Depends on how sturdy the tiny hole is on each particular model. In general I'd say not very.

Wow! Yes I think Yanking would be what most theives around here would do (no bolt cutters or something to pick the lock).

It didnt even damage the laptop!