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View Full Version : Kensington locks.. any good?

ojobson
13-09-2005, 18:23
Does anyone know if a kensington lock is any good for keeping a laptop in place? I want something to keep my lap top safe while I go to get a book at the Uni library as i'm sick of taking it with me. Does anyone know if they are any good/heard horror stories etc?

Any other good products on the market? I've had a look but don't really seem to be able to find any reviews that are any good or reference to them on this site.

Thanks in advance.
Cable Monkey
13-09-2005, 20:36
They are a reasonably effective deterrent. It would be hard to take something locked with one of these without attracting attention but removeable parts such as the battery would still be vunerable.
ross
14-09-2005, 07:30
Don't touch them with a barge pole! They can be opened very easily using a few household bits and bobs.. See http://www.boingboing.net/2005/05/18/howto_open_laptop_lo.html
six5tring
14-09-2005, 07:42
i dunno.. I think they deter the oppertunistic thief but like anything if someone wants it they'll take it. - six
latency
14-09-2005, 09:30
If anyone wants it that bad they'll have some loppers with them anyway.

No lock will keep ANYTHING safe, it's just a delay and a detterrant.

The effectiveness Motorbike chains in shops are mesured by how long it takes a battery grinder to cut through them, even these monsters arn't invunerable.
Cable Monkey
14-09-2005, 09:37
But we are talking about a library environment as opposed to locking it to the lampost outside your digs while you sleep. If it complicates the theft to the point a potential thief is drawing attention to themselves then it is doing all you should reasonably expect from it. If that provides you with peace of mind then great, but perhaps insuring it would be advisable also, poor student or not...
Kendod
14-09-2005, 14:49
I have one its pretty safe i mean i would never leave my lappy unatended for a long period of time. But if i was joe blogs theif and i saw a laptop chained up id keep walking untill i found somthing easier to steal. The make a good detterrant, When my friend worked for IBM it was company policy to have all laptops loked to your desk to stop the postman or water boy walking off with your laptop.