Kensington-style notebook locks - thoughts?

I hadn't owned a real notebook PC, that I would be regularly taking out and about, until I purchased a Samsung Series 3 very recently. So I've considered making use of the Kensington security slot on the side.

However, as I researched Kensington locks (including compatible locks of other brands) and the security they provide - or don't! - I came to one inescapable conclusion: Basically, these things are a waste of money. It didn't take long to find videos and articles demonstrating how many of these locks can be defeated quite easily. Whether by picking, cutting the cable, or simply yanking hard enough that the lock pulls a chunk off the computer (but the computer usually still works), it seems these locks provide a few seconds of false security, at best. Like most locks, they only serve to keep honest people honest.

At best, I guess one of these locks might convince a thief to steal someone else's, non-locked, machine. But that's a thin probability.

I decided that I'll just have to be super-paranoid about security when out and about, never letting the machine out of my direct sight, or that of someone I REALLY trust.

Agree? Disagree?

 

I was in the same boat as you a few weeks ago. I brought my baby to college and under no circumstance did I want to lose her. Save putting your laptop in a heavy safe or hiding it, there is no way to stop someone from physically taking your laptop if you left it unattended. What you can do is track it down after it has been stolen.

You have the options of Lowjack for Laptops, Intel Anti-Thief or Prey.

 

It will keep you safer than the guy sitting next to you who doesn't have a lock just because it requires more effort to remove it.

 

Disagree! They're not a waste of money, you just have to keep in mind their limitation.

As you imply, they are not theft proof. However, they are deterrents to making stealing your laptop easy. Simply use them the way electronics stores do, and they will have earned their cost.

I use mine to allow me to mover around the room without having to stare at it constantly. That's as far as I will trust any Kensington lock.

 

Looking at your sig: Good gravy, an 18.4" laptop? I think the huge weight by itself would be a theft-deterrent. Anyone who tried to yank it off a K-lock would surely injure himself doing so, if he could move it at all.

 

That's about the only scenario I could imagine where the lock would be useful.

Don't plan to do that one a lot, so I'm going to go "naked" for the first few days of classes. If I find myself wanting to step away from the laptop briefly in public places, I'll probably get the beefiest, meanest-looking K-lock I can find.

On a related note, I decided not to bother with biking to/from campus because I simply do not want to deal with the logistics of owning a bike. I'd have to schlep along locks, spend time partially disassembling the bike (front wheel next to the frame), yada yada, do it over again upon leaving, and then probably STILL it would be stolen. They have some operations here where they swoop in with a pickup truck and some bolt cutters, and commit grand theft bicycle en masse before campus security can put down their donut. We have a good enough bus system here that I just don't want to deal with all that drama.

 

i think its more to protect from opportunistic thieves. a determined thief will definitely be able to get it regardless of what you do.

 

Precisely. They're like the locks on your windows - a determined thief is going to bring a hammer and smash the crap out of the glass.

 

This generation; where are we headed?

I love cycling!

 

Add in the fact that it's not that easy to sell a 18.4 inch laptop since mostly everyone thinks that its too big in the first place

The HDX by itself is something around 9.5 pounds though s:

The locks themselves are a good idea, they won't totally stop someone, but will make them think twice.