The MBA is wonderful but also a wonderfully easy temptation to walk off with in a library or coffee shop. It would be really weird and stupid to have to carry it with me every time I go the bathroom or even a book shelf. Anyone found a not too horrible way of fixing a Kensington type security cable lock?
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Any solutions to lack of security cable lock?
- Thread starter CliveVB
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What I did was to purchase a Kensington Lock Base { available most places that carry Kensington, or special order }
Then I KRAZY GLUE'ed it to the bottom of the Air. This serves additionally as a "lift" giving better typing placement and I put two rubber bumpers on either end { they are visible too } this lifts the unit 1/2 inch, giving better cooling, and actually provides a better typing angle.
Then when I need to use the lock, I flip the unit over, and put the lock on.
Photo's attached:
Then I KRAZY GLUE'ed it to the bottom of the Air. This serves additionally as a "lift" giving better typing placement and I put two rubber bumpers on either end { they are visible too } this lifts the unit 1/2 inch, giving better cooling, and actually provides a better typing angle.
Then when I need to use the lock, I flip the unit over, and put the lock on.
Photo's attached:
What I did was to purchase a Kensington Lock Base { available most places that carry Kensington, or special order }
Then I KRAZY GLUE'ed it to the bottom of the Air. This serves additionally as a "lift" giving better typing placement and I put two rubber bumpers on either end { they are visible too } this lifts the unit 1/2 inch, giving better cooling, and actually provides a better typing angle.
Then when I need to use the lock, I flip the unit over, and put the lock on.
Photo's attached:
That has to be the absolute worst "solution" I have ever seen. It doesn't look like it would even set right on a table, and looks like you would scratch the top whenever attaching the lock. I would lock my MBA in a drawer before utilizing that "solution."
How about iAlertU and Lojack... or a lockable briefcase or drawer???
Isn't that the purpose, the deterrent? You cannot remove it without damaging the unit.
{ .... when you go to sell it, just buy a new baseplate used and toss the old one. Used ones are now selling for $25-40 everywhere on the nets. }
OR sell it WITH the modification intact, using that as a selling feature by tossing IN the Kensington Lock WITH the used unit!
D'oh.
You LEAVE IT UPSIDE DOWN when it is locked. Sheesh.
I guess you flunked Geometry huh?
]
If the base is removable then it may be possible to use a Dremel to make one of the cooling vents big enough for the lock. You would have to select which vent carefully and it may not be possible as you would need clearance behind it for the lock to fit in. Done neatly this would hardly be noticeable. You would still have to turn it upside down to attach the lock, same as TanTodays solution.
Is there a skin or case you can get for it that has a lock cable fitted or that you can attach one to? That's what I'd probably go for, either that or this:
http://www.natuba.com/photo/chidzb/
Is there a skin or case you can get for it that has a lock cable fitted or that you can attach one to? That's what I'd probably go for, either that or this:
http://www.natuba.com/photo/chidzb/
Never figured out how much security you really get out of a cable lock anyway.
This solution looks like a stretch.
This solution looks like a stretch.
It comes down to degree of motivation. If you want folks you work with who walk past your desk or cubicle to walk away empty-handed, this will likely do that. Adding iAlertU is even better. A K lock on my PB from 2003 to 2011 did one of 2 things: 1) kept my PB safe. 2) gave me peace of mind, even if I was fooling myself. Maybe a little of both. Of course now, in their infinite wisdom, we no longer have that option available on Apple laptops. There's room for a K lock slot, they just arrogantly did not put one there. Dicks.
But if I want your MBA, I will get it. (not a thief--devil's advocate here)
It seems like a medium cable cutter could handle the aircraft cable of a K lock, although it might take a couple minutes to really bite through all of the way (and then the thief is stuck with a laptop with a lock sticking out of it--hard to resell).
But this plastic case? (http://www.applelocks.com/index.php/apple-macbook-locks/macbookairlock-13-combo.html) Not only is it about the fugliest thing I have ever seen, I could crunch that lock area with a garden-variety set of linemans pliers in under 5 seconds like it was never even there. Buh-bye, MBA. If my partner creates a distraction by spilling her latte on the other side of the coffeeshop, I can get away unnoticed, with your laptop. You come back to a K lock connected to a $70 broken piece of plastic.
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I wish there was something like this for the rMBP. I really don't like the maclocks solution.
Possible solution for the AIR?
http://www.technalock.com/shop/USB_Cable_Lock-m35.html
They note that this currently isn't compatible w/ the Air -- curious as to what might be different about the USB connection (?), but at any rate, I plan to find out more...seems like this might neatly solve, at least to some degree, the problem of securing an Air. Any thoughts?
http://www.technalock.com/shop/USB_Cable_Lock-m35.html
They note that this currently isn't compatible w/ the Air -- curious as to what might be different about the USB connection (?), but at any rate, I plan to find out more...seems like this might neatly solve, at least to some degree, the problem of securing an Air. Any thoughts?
I just close the lid, it goes to sleep and I take it with me.
There's nothing easier than that and you've eliminated all risk.
There's nothing easier than that and you've eliminated all risk.
Its a solution, but I can imagine some idiot thief trying to quickly shut the screen to make a quick getaway and completely breaking the hinge and screen in the process. Sure, it may deter theft (which there is still a small possibility of getting it back), but this would cause permanent damage.