My new T42 has arrived! -- a few travel/security questions

[ssmith]

First of all, I would like to thank all of you for providing such an excellent resource. Based on what I read on this forum, I decided to get a 2378FVU and couldn't be happier with it (of course I just got it today!). All the hype about build quality, design and ergonomics is true!

Now for the question: I will be traveling this November to Las Vegas for business, and my T42 will be accompanying me. For at least part of the day, my laptop will stay in my room. I am curious as to what precautions people take to safeguard their thinkpads from potentially untrustworthy hotel room-cleaning staff? I guess I'm more paranoid since I just bought it, but it seems a laptop would be a pretty nice "find" for an unscrupulous hotel employee.

Thanks in advance.

[skanky]

well if they put you up in a hotel on the strip, then they'll have safe in the rooms, at least i think the stardust did have.

im sure a place as fancy as the venetian has a roman guard at you beck and call

or get one of those kensington lock thingys.

[Elhabash]

If you got sensible data on it you might also consider putting on a Harddrive password. Just don't forget it (This would be a major concern for myself at least )!

[eshtog]

I am so [censored] off everyone has been getting their t42 2378fvu while mine shipped on the 28th of oct. using 2 day and I still havent got it, its been stuck in customs since oct 30

[Steve007]

I am curious as to what precautions people take to safeguard their thinkpads from potentially untrustworthy hotel room-cleaning staff?

Keep it in a bag/carrycase and store it in a cupboard or something - basically keeping it out of sight. Remember to set up a BIOS & HDD p/w and that's all you can do.

Most respectable hotels are fine so I wouldn't worry. However, if you're staying in a dump it's really your fault if things go missing!

[Leon]

I would never leave my lappy alone in a hotel room. If there is no safe it will fit in (most will fit if you put it in at an angle), then take it with you when you leave the room!

[ssmith]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I'm checking into whether a safe is available or not. And if I can, I will take it with me whenever possible. I'll definitely be adding a harddrive/BIOS password.

I'm probably just too paranoid, but it is Vegas! If I have to leave it in the room, I plan on burying it in my extra large suitcase. The suitcase has a reinforcement bar inside, so I might also use a kensington lock looped around that. If they want it, they'll have to work for it!

[JHEM]

I would never leave my lappy alone in a hotel room. If there is no safe it will fit in (most will fit if you put it in at an angle), then take it with you when you leave the room!

I'm sorry if this sounds crass, but it all comes down to the "class" of hotel you're staying at and it's location.

I travel a lot and almost always stay at a Marriott or similar hotel, sometimes better, rarely worse. I might opt for a Marriott Courtyard or Residence Inn rather than the "full" hotel, but that's about as far down as I'll go.

My Thinkpad will normally reside on the desk in my room for the duration of my stay and I never give it's potential to disappear a second thought. This has been my experience throughout the US and around the world, even in China.

However, you really have to use a bit of common sense when it comes to security. I recently stayed in a Courtyard where my Thinkpad was stapled to my hip throughout my stay based solely on the fact that the place was in the midst of changing hands and was aswarm with contractor personnel.

In Las Vegas I normally stay at one of the "premier" hotels, e.g. Bellagio, Luxor, Venetian, etc. and have never even heard of theft in the hotels being a problem other than on the casino's tables.

But, if you don't feel secure leaving it in your room and your room doesn't have a safe it will fit in, then simply check it at the front desk or bellman's station when you go out.

Regards,

James

[Plinkerton]

...I might also use a kensington lock looped around that. If they want it, they'll have to work for it!

They could always just bring a Bic pen...


Better safe than sorry I say. I'd take it with me, or check it at the front desk if you can do that.

[k3vb0t]

--snip--
But, if you don't feel secure leaving it in your room and your room doesn't have a safe it will fit in, then simply check it at the front desk or bellman's station when you go out.
--snip--

That was going to be my recommendation.

James, one question. If you do check it at the front desk, does it actually become -their- responsibility then? I would assume so, just thought I would ask. And doubtful that a big place in Vegas would lose or let your laptop be stolen from the front desk anyways, but in case it were to happen (or anywhere else, that is)...

[ssmith]

I would never leave my lappy alone in a hotel room. If there is no safe it will fit in (most will fit if you put it in at an angle), then take it with you when you leave the room!

I'm sorry if this sounds crass, but it all comes down to the "class" of hotel you're staying at and it's location.

I travel a lot and almost always stay at a Marriott or similar hotel, sometimes better, rarely worse. I might opt for a Marriott Courtyard or Residence Inn rather than the "full" hotel, but that's about as far down as I'll go.

My Thinkpad will normally reside on the desk in my room for the duration of my stay and I never give it's potential to disappear a second thought. This has been my experience throughout the US and around the world, even in China.

However, you really have to use a bit of common sense when it comes to security. I recently stayed in a Courtyard where my Thinkpad was stapled to my hip throughout my stay based solely on the fact that the place was in the midst of changing hands and was aswarm with contractor personnel.

In Las Vegas I normally stay at one of the "premier" hotels, e.g. Bellagio, Luxor, Venetian, etc. and have never even heard of theft in the hotels being a problem other than on the casino's tables.

But, if you don't feel secure leaving it in your room and your room doesn't have a safe it will fit in, then simply check it at the front desk or bellman's station when you go out.

Regards,

James

I don't think that's crass at all! My problem is that this is a company-funded trip, and I'm not sure where on the strip we will end up (which is pretty scary considering the variation in quality along the strip). I do know that we will be on the strip, but I doubt they will spring for the Bellagio or the Venetian.

[JHEM]

James, one question. If you do check it at the front desk, does it actually become -their- responsibility then? I would assume so, just thought I would ask. And doubtful that a big place in Vegas would lose or let your laptop be stolen from the front desk anyways, but in case it were to happen (or anywhere else, that is)...

Their protestations against responsibility notwithstanding, and even in light of language printed on baggage receipts or posted at the front desk limiting their liability, they'll ultimately cough up the bucks if your baby goes astray.

Of course, the previous sentence applies in direct proportion to the level of hotel you're staying at.

Four or five star? No problem, we're sorry, here's your check.

Local no-star, no-tell motel, hot sheet palace? Pound sand!

When in doubt, call a cop!

My wife had some jewelry escape from a safe-deposit box at the Phoenician in Scottsdale years ago. Not only were we ultimately 100% reimbursed based on the appraisals we faxed them when we got home, but our entire 5 day stay was fully comped, even our meals and rounds of golf.

The cost of our stay far exceeded the monetary value of the items stolen.

You should also always check with your credit card company and your homeowner's insurance to see if you're covered against loss or theft while traveling. We parked our rental car at a scenic overlook on the Pacific Coast Highway years ago outside of Santa Cruz and walked down the path to wet our feet in the Pacific.

As we came back to the parking area we noticed a pickup truck zooming out of the lot and then noted the passenger side window was broken on our car. Upon inspection we found that they had grabbed my wife's purse from under the passenger seat as well as her briefcase from the backseat. Fortunately, we interrupted them before they could pop the trunk and clean us out.

Unfortunately, they had my wife's credit cards, several hundred in cash AND our return air tickets. I drove to the nearest town and called AMEX (pre-cellphone!) who ultimately got us a local hotel room, another car delivered from Hertz, paid to repair the broken window, replaced our tickets and AMEX cards and notified all of our other card issuers to cancel their cards. Our homeowner's policy even reimbursed us for the lost cash!

All you can really do to ensure against the loss of your beloved Thinkpad is to make sure that if worse comes to worst that you'll be reimbursed for the loss. Always backup your system and set all of your passwords! You'll at least derive some some small comfort from the fact that the thief has, in effect, stolen a doorstop!

Regards,

James

[JHEM]

I don't think that's crass at all! My problem is that this is a company-funded trip, and I'm not sure where on the strip we will end up (which is pretty scary considering the variation in quality along the strip). I do know that we will be on the strip, but I doubt they will spring for the Bellagio or the Venetian.

Thank you, and you might well wind up pleasantly surprised.

Depending on the number of people in your party and nights stayed, some of the "better" hotels have packages that will amaze you. Check Travelocity.com or Orbitz.com. IIRC the last time we were at the Venetian it only cost us $99 a night for one of their mini-suites.

Don't be afraid to approach someone from "Guest Relations" whichever hotel you wind up in. You can get comped for everything from the buffets (even in neighboring casinos!) to free parking, show tickets, rooms, etc., etc. It's rare for them to fail to offer you something. At the LEAST hold out for free hi-speed internet access where available (obligatory Thinkpad related content!). You won't get anything if you don't ask.

It's cheaper than staying home!

Regards,

James