Thinkpads Forum

I decided I wanted to use my T60 outside of the house, but I'm worried about it getting stolen by the seedy types.

I was hoping somebody could recommend a good security lock and cable for me to use on my T60, and would love to hear from the people who know Thinkpads the best.

- Bovine Mage

Outside of the house where? What do you plan to attach it to?

You could always get a Kensington lock/cable, and tie one end around your arm/leg while outside!

dr_st wrote:Outside of the house where? What do you plan to attach it to?

Well... to tables mainly, since attaching things to random bystanders doesn't seem to work quite as well

Is there any specific brands and models that you guys have used in the past? I'm pretty sure that most of us here probably use one to prevent the unsavory types from stealing Thinkpads.

- Bovine Mage

IMHO there is no laptop lock and security cable that would allow one to attach it to a table, walk away (out of sight) and return to find the machine still there. Assuming you don’t get mugged, the only foolproof security device is your eyesight in combination with the two hands you use to hold onto the machine.

(RBS's suggestion may be a viable alternative)

dsvochak wrote:IMHO there is no laptop lock and security cable that would allow one to attach it to a table, walk away (out of sight) and return to find the machine still there. Assuming you don’t get mugged, the only foolproof security device is your eyesight in combination with the two hands you use to hold onto the machine.

(RBS's suggestion may be a viable alternative)

*Hides his laptop away, to never reveal it to the light of day ever again.* Really, there's nothing out there? Shame... guess there's no harm in bringing my laptop into the bathroom with me, though people might get the wrong impression.

- Bovine Mage

Take it where you'd like as I do. Just don't think if you walk away it will be there when you get back.

FWIW some years ago I had tethered a 760ED to a desk at the office using a genuine Kensington cable. We had a break-in and when I arrived that morning all that was left was part of the cable that wrapped around the desk. The cable had apparently been severed with bolt cutters or similar. About the only use for the cable was to provide the insurance company with proof that I had at least tried to secure the 760ED. Oh, and since the cable was still under warranty, Kensington sent me a replacement for free. I'd have much preferred that the cable had worked and I could keep my 760ED.

BovineMage wrote:Well... to tables mainly, since attaching things to random bystanders doesn't seem to work quite as well

Outside what was said here already... I assume all your coffee shops have tables that are permanently connected to the floor and cannot be moved? Because attaching a lock cable to a movable table seems like something bound to end on Failblog...

Go to youtube and look for the guy who opens laptop cable locks with a bic pen, a toiletpaper roll and some electrician's tape

richk wrote:Go to youtube and look for the guy who opens laptop cable locks with a bic pen, a toiletpaper roll and some electrician's tape

That was quite cool to watch, but I didn't succeed in reproducing it.

I have no qualms taking my T60p out and about with me... actually, that's what I bought it for! It goes with me to both work and college on a daily basis, and I don't use a lock. The key is, as previously said... don't let it out of your sight. Nothing's going to stop a determined thief from getting your notebook, but making sure you're keeping an eye and a hand on it is going to deter nearly all seedy types from taking it. I just don't make a habit out of going to really public places with my electronics... if I'm somewhere by myself, my computer is locked in the trunk of my car.

In the office here we use the Brenthaven brand security cables. As others have said, you need something that is bolted down you can loop the cable around and some cables can be defeated with various techniques. Stay away from the Kensington "retractable" cable locks. One of the guys in the offices cut through that one with a cheap pair of wire cutters in less than a minute.

I like the Brenthaven locks because you only need the key to unlock it. It has a "push button" that pops out when unlocked and you push it in to engage the lock.

I should point out that people get a false sense of security about leaving their laptops in their cars. In that past 18 months or so, at least 5-10 company laptops were stolen from cars. A couple right out of the cars parked in the driveway in front of their house!

kchung wrote:I should point out that people get a false sense of security about leaving their laptops in their cars. In that past 18 months or so, at least 5-10 company laptops were stolen from cars. A couple right out of the cars parked in the driveway in front of their house!

Were these laptops stolen from the trunks of from the seats?

dr_st wrote:Were these laptops stolen from the trunks of from the seats?

That's what I'd like to know. From experience, the only way someone's going to be breaking into my car unless they smash a window is with a set of lockpicks. I'm pretty sure getting into my trunk would require either some really good rewiring or a sawzall, due to the lockable kill switch it has.

Let's face it, any determined crook is going to make off with your laptop no matter what, if he's really intent on it! The point of locks (cable, siren, etc) is to deter the opportunistic "grabber".

You need a special install which are like some metal strips which go over the palm rest and back hinge area and its bolted to the work surface, and also has a cage for the monitor. For security there is no key or anything, its a permanent install.

Here in Manila, numerous cases have already been reported regarding laptop theft in a car. Sometimes, when robbers get desperate, they just smash the windshield or the side windows, whichever they see fit.

I second what other posters have said in this thread: no amount of precaution will deter a determined laptop thief. I guess the best thing one can do to protect his or her laptop would be to carry it around as much as possible; if not, make sure that the machine is tethered securely and will not attract too much attention. GOod thing here, Thinkpads aren't that quite well known. Usually, it's the Macs who are often targeted by notebook thieves, as well as those good-looking-on-the-outside laptops.

The black, rubbery-matte, "staid" and old-school Thinkpad design, I believe, is more than enough protection in some cases.