Biometric fingerprint reader on XPS a "must have"?

Anyone who has used these things have any thoughts on this technology? I thought I remembered reading somewhere that this feature was more of an annoyance than anything else, and many of them don't work that consistently. I'm not really sure how these things really work and/or what they actually do.

 

I'll tell you how to bypass it right now. Power off the computer, insert an operating system cd (eg. vista or xp) reformat the drive, and the computer is yours. So unless the information on your computer is worth more to the thief than the computer itself, the finger print reader is of no value except as a guarantee that your files will be wiped out.

But it looks so cool!

 

Would be nice if the finger print reader was implemented into the BIOS though (and use a password as a backup).

 

I think it allows you to switch applications based on the finger you put on the reader.. kinda cool?? no?

 

I think its totally un-nessesary to be honest.

The palm rest area looks far neater without that recess (dirt magnet) fingerprint reader.

 

how much? I would spend more than around an extra $50-$60 on it.

 

It's only 22 dollars

 

i have the fingerprint reader, and i enjoyed the extra security. well, don’t get it if you don’t have any sensitive materials in ur notebook. plus your note pad becomes much smaller when you do get it, so something to think about.

 

Does it actually provide extra security? I thought there was always an alternative of using a password anyway. I thought the advantage was convenience - which means you can assign more complex passwords.

(So I suppose that is greater security.)

 

LOL, it's not a theft prevention device, and it's not a theft deterrent. It's not intended to be either. It's just so that if the laptop is stolen, the thief doesn't get easy access to your data in addition to the hardware.

Edit: Oh yeah, it's also for convenience, to let you use a swipe for logon instead of a password.

 

Swipe? Like a card swipe?

 

Swipe your finger on it to log into Windows and websites.

 

That is the $64 million question. How well does the software support the fingerprint reader on this machine. Does it work with Firefox?
Will I need to buy some third party software like http://www.fingerauth.com/ (assuming it is compatible).

I am working on the assumption that Dell will provide useful software in due course even if it is not available now - and in my book the convenience them makes the fingerprint read a "must-have".

 

it's $22 and on the XPS it doesnt even reduce the size of the touchpad buttons like on the latitudes. it's basically can't miss.

it may not be a must have, but for $22 it is worth the try. Some people don't care for it/use it much, but if you happen to really end up wanting it and you didn't get it to save one Jackson- you'll be terribly upset.

so just go for it!

 

It is not about 22 dollars, if all he has are school papers or family pics. i really don't think he needs the extra security, it is just more trouble every time he logs on. But for some frequent business travelers; then the print printer read probably helps.

 

If he doesn't want it, he would disable it and be down $22 dollars. There's no way of going the other way if buy without it though.

Safer option is to order it

 

I love how everyone comes in here and acts like they know what the fingerprint reader does

Buddieguy - Guess again

Before anything happens, before you can even get into the bios or boot up from the optical drive, you need to swipe your finger.

 

Awesomeeeeeee! It's definitely good that I got one then. Would help security a lot!

Just one question -- what if the fingerprint mech. malfunctions? Is there any other alternate way to enter the system without using the fingerprint method?

 

does anyone have pictures of it? i'm just curious where it is on the keyboard and whether it truly affect the touchpad

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=132965

 

If you were to actually search in the review:
http://www.notebookreview.com/defau...ss+%28Core+2+Duo+T7100+1.80GHz/160GB/2GB)

You would find the picture of the fingerprint reader.

 

blahdude - You create a master password as well. If for some reason your fingerprint reader malfunctions, you can press ESC on the keyboard and enter the master password to bypass the fingerprint reader. Keep in mind, it should be a really long and difficult to guess password (not your typical username/password. This should be really long and used only in case the reader fails.) Keep it in a safe place

 

Agreed.
I'd usually use a random password generator and generate a 20 character password and keep it safely hidden.

https://www.pctools.com/guides/password/

 

This week's Security Now! podcast sounds apposite:

Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

Steve and Leo explain the virtues and misbegotten negative reputation of the entirely benign and extremely useful emergent crypto facility known as the 'Trusted Platform Module.'

http://www.GRC.com/securitynow.htm#99

Now the TPM is something that I assume the M1330 doesn't have but when I listen to the podcast I am going to probably wish it did.

(When I was looking at Sony SZ's in Zhongguancun* I tried asking the salesman what the advantage of the model with TPM was vs the one with a Bluetooth headset. He seemed to have no idea)

* Zhongguancun... China's equivalent of Akihabara.

 

I got it more for convenience's sake than anything. I'm lazy, what can I say.

 

lol oops, i meant to say that it's probably not necessary, i have one on my hp dv6500 and i don't like using it.

 

One application I envisage is for use on a shared (family) PC.
Want to constrain the 9 year old (perhaps using Vista Parental controls).
Want to prevent him installing software without oversight?
Want wife and son to use secure passwords without leaving it written down on the desk?

I plan that as far as they are concerned there are no passwords - they just swipe their fingers. No arguing about passwords and having the kid phone me at work to ask what the password is (we have this problem with the TV).
What I don't know yet is whether it will work well.
e.g. it would be nice if one of them comes to PC and finds it screenlocked... swipes finger and it engages fast user switching and logs them in with their account.

 

i would have loved if the new inspirons have fingerprint readers and i hope the new XPS's do.

 

I can only speak to the one on my last thinkpad- it's slightly more convenient than typing a password, most of the time (meaning when you only have to swipe once).

But on this one, I skipped it. If it had been the same price (was less than $30), I might have taken it for free, but I just don't need that level of security, ymmv. Plus my password always works- if you type a password correctly, it doesn't matter how fast or slow you typed it, doesn't matter how dry or moist your skin is, etc, it will work every time.

I absolutely would not consider one if it had any other effect on the notebook- like if it shrunk mouse buttons, ymmv.