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Securing the MBA (no Kensington lock)

V

vd0t

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 7, 2005
115
0
Is there a solution to this problem? I am planning to use my MBA at work and it requires me, at some times during the day, to leave my notebook unattended while I go off and do other tasks. Unfortunately, I don't have my own office and I share a work area with other people. Any suggestions?

Previously, I just used a Kensington lock to secure my MBP.
 
It's not quite practical to do that unfortunately. Part of my work requires me to perform tasks in a lab, and I have to leave the office to do that. I can't take my MBA with me.

And for example, if I head to the lunchroom during lunch, I don't want to have to carry the MBA with me!
 
I am considering getting a mba and this is a potential issue for me too. I don't want to have to carry my mba to the bathroom etc when I am in the library.
 
MBP then, locking down equipment is important, not only because of the value of the device itself but because of the research data you lose.
 
I agree. It looks like I will have to stick with my MBP, its a pity as it is quite heavy to lump around. Better than getting an air stolen though
 
I was looking for a cheaper solution.. I just need a slight deterrence. I just don't someone to be able to pickup my MBA and leave. Maybe some sort of modified Kensington lock solution. I saw someone selling something like that (a metal piece that you put on the hinge) on eBay but it obscures the screen a bit, and that's a deal breaker.
 
Or this if you want something secure thats waterproof, uncrushable and don't care about the cost.

http://www.pelican.com/

1495CC1.jpg


Pelican: Pelican Products 1495CC1 Deluxe Notebook Computer Case

Amazon: PELICAN-1495-Deluxe-Computer-Case
 
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vd0t said:
It's not quite practical to do that unfortunately. Part of my work requires me to perform tasks in a lab, and I have to leave the office to do that. I can't take my MBA with me.

And for example, if I head to the lunchroom during lunch, I don't want to have to carry the MBA with me!
Click to expand...

I do lab work too. I think the only way you can do this is probably just asking your labmates to watch it for you, or just don't bring it to work. But that would kinda defeat the purpose of having a laptop this portable
 
I know this is extreme, but anyone tried removing the bottom cover of the Air and punching through or using some sort of epoxy to attach a lock or other securing mechanism?
 
How does Apple secure their MBAs in their stores? Anyone know? Maybe we can use a similar method...
 
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Apple OC said:
Find a case that you can lock to your desk:cool:
Click to expand...

That's a good idea. Any case that has sturdy zippers that can be locked together (and then around the desk) could work.

vd0t said:
How does Apple secure their MBAs in their stores? Anyone know? Maybe we can use a similar method...
Click to expand...

Good question. I'm sure they have the kind of solution where there is something glued onto the MBA. They probably also have a motion sensing alarm.
 
Are there a lot of people around?

I just use iAlertU app/program.

It's a nifty little security lock that when activated- a "disturbed" MBA will squeal like a car alarm, take a snap shot photo with the facetime camera and forward the photo to your email.

Handy as i'm sure you can recognize every face in your shared environment.

Disturbance can be sent to:
- Any key stroke
- Touch pad activation
- Removal of a USB
- Disconnection of charger cord.

The last is most useful as I assume the snatcher will have to disconnect the charger somehow- making the MBA squeal at full volume. Kind of embarrassing to run away with a squeal laptop IMO.

Good iAlertU.
Free.
 
Lifequest said:
Are there a lot of people around?

I just use iAlertU app/program.

It's a nifty little security lock that when activated- a "disturbed" MBA will squeal like a car alarm, take a snap shot photo with the facetime camera and forward the photo to your email.

Handy as i'm sure you can recognize every face in your shared environment.

Disturbance can be sent to:
- Any key stroke
- Touch pad activation
- Removal of a USB
- Disconnection of charger cord.

The last is most useful as I assume the snatcher will have to disconnect the charger somehow- making the MBA squeal at full volume. Kind of embarrassing to run away with a squeal laptop IMO.

Good iAlertU.
Free.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip! That sounds like a good program to install for those situations. But still, I would prefer to have something physical attached to my laptop...
 
Lock it in a desk drawer or filing cabinet?

Hide it in a folder? If the people who see you hide it can't be trusted, you have my sympathy. (Terrible place to work.)
 
Last edited:
vd0t said:
How does Apple secure their MBAs in their stores? Anyone know? Maybe we can use a similar method...
Click to expand...

I believe they use an alarm that's attached to the USB port which will squeal if disconnected.
 
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Or if you have lockable draws, just drop it in them. It's not like you'll be waiting for it to wake up from sleep everytime you get back ;)
 
elithrar said:
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148 Safari/6533.18.5)

Or if you have lockable draws, just drop it in them. It's not like you'll be waiting for it to wake up from sleep everytime you get back ;)
Click to expand...

I see your point, but what if my computer is doing something (downloading, processing data, etc..)... it's still not a perfect solution.
 
vd0t said:
I see your point, but what if my computer is doing something (downloading, processing data, etc..)... it's still not a perfect solution.
Click to expand...

Not if you download something like insomniax, which prevents the laptop from going to sleep when you close the lid.
 
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