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Customer with stolen MacBook Air
- Thread starter tgpctech
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Yes, there is.
In the US if a serialized item is reported stolen to the police, the police department will (should) enter the serial number in the national NCIC database. So if a police officer finds a suspected stolen item (Macbook or otherwise) they can query NCIC stolen property records and get a hit.
Jeeze..do you really want to get into this? You damn well know Macs cost more for what you get. If you can't come to grips with that then you're living in denial.
You can't get past a firmware lock. The Genius in the Apple Store can't get past a firmware lock. The only way to open the machine is the Genius in the Apple Store calling Cupertino, with information at hand that convinces them to unlock the machine.
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What a bit of clueless rubbish.
The guy has a MacBook Air with firmware password set. There is no ********** way to get past the firmware password. Even the guys in an Apple Store can't do it. They have to call Cupertino to unlock it. And they won't check any "stolen computer" registry, they will check your ID and make sure you are the one who purchased it. Or evidence of purchase if you bought a used one. That's what firmware password is there for: It makes the Mac inaccessible to any thief. That functionality has been there for years.
And please, where do you get something that is "similarly equipped" to a MacBook Air for half the price?
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The "denial" is clearly on your side.
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What a bit of clueless rubbish.
The guy has a MacBook Air with firmware password set. There is no ********** way to get past the firmware password. Even the guys in an Apple Store can't do it. They have to call Cupertino to unlock it. And they won't check any "stolen computer" registry, they will check your ID and make sure you are the one who purchased it. Or evidence of purchase if you bought a used one. That's what firmware password is there for: It makes the Mac inaccessible to any thief. That functionality has been there for years.
And please, where do you get something that is "similarly equipped" to a MacBook Air for half the price?
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The "denial" is clearly on your side.
econ 101
Assuming no coercion or otherwise fraudulent behaviour, a sale only happens if both parties would rather have what the other guy has than what they have to trade. So if someone is willing to pay X for Y then by definition Y is worth precisely X.
Yes, you can get a laptop for much less than what you pay for an Mac. You can even get a similarly spec'd computer for less than a Mac. As it were, even putting aside the claim that you are "paying double" than you would be for a "similarly equipped PC," I would argue that it does in fact get you a "higher level of service," at least in my experience. You also get a higher quality computer. If you don't believe that to be the case then by all means do not buy one. That way if you are right, the market pressure will increase on Apple to either increase that quality or lower their price.
So no, i don't damn well know that macs cost more for what you get.
It's not your job to figure out if its stolen or not, or to get the property back to the rightful owners. Contact the police if you have a funny feeling about things. But don't try to be a hero and get yourself put in harms way. This isn't a movie, and you're not Vin Diesel.
get the authorities to carry out a mock operation on your establishment that way the crooks would not suspect that you called in the cops.
Good job not including the context of my response. I specifically responded to...
My response was to a database, not if Apple simply checked for an ID as you asserted in your response. By what you're saying, they can check to see if you're the person who purchased it, but they have no way to flag a serial # as being stolen. Keep your "clueless" arguments in context.
Also, your assertion that there's "no way" to get past the firmware is rather "clueless" itself. You can't seriously believe Apple has finally invented the impenetrable firmware chip (how many jailbroken iPhones are there)? If some unscrupulous person stole the device, I'm sure they wouldn't mind paying a pro to have it circumvented. Here, $150 will get you a "new" stolen MacBook:
http://jerseycityrepair.com/remove-firmware-password-macbook-air/
Again, my statement was "Paying double for a similarly equipped PC", not necessarily the Air. In my case, I was thinking about my own laptop:
HP Envy M6-1225DX: i5-3230M, 8GB RAM, 750GB HDD, 15.6" LED-backlit display (1366x768), Multi DVD burner, Beats Audio, SD Card Reader 802.11b/g/n, Ethernet, 3x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0, 1 HDMI, 1 VGA, Windows 8. $699
MacBook Pro (non-retina): i7-3630QM, 8GB RAM, 750GB HDD, 15.6 LED-backlit display (1440 × 900), 8x Superdrive, SD Card REader, 802.11b/g/n, Ethernet, 2x USB 3.0, Firewire 800, Thunderbolt, Mac OS X. $1899
I give you the Macbook Pro has a better processor and slightly better resolution display. Firewire & Thunderbolt are of subjective usefulness. $1200 difference? Not in my book but, as DisplacedMic said, "So if someone is willing to pay X for Y then by definition Y is worth precisely X". So if you're willing to ignore the $1200 elephant in the room then by all means go ahead. However, $1200 is a hefty tax for brand loyalty.
Sorry to be combative in my response, but your namecalling and condescension weren't warranted simply because your fragile ego got hurt that I wouldn't play along with the "nothing compares to a Mac" game. I've owned plenty of Macs, probably some older than any of yours & they're still running. Some seem worth it, some don't. But please don't resort to personal attacks simply because I don't hold your world view.
- Apple could track stolen iDevices.
- Ford could track stolen Fords.
- GM could track stolen Chevys, Buicks and Cadillacs.
- Toyota could track stolen Toyotas.
All manufacturers could track their own stolen products.
What a brilliant idea.
- Apple could track stolen iDevices.
- Ford could track stolen Fords.
- GM could track stolen Chevys, Buicks and Cadillacs.
- Toyota could track stolen Toyotas.
All manufacturers could track their own stolen products.
What a brilliant idea.
You seem to miss one very important point in your attempt to belittle me - none of the devices you list require user-interactive software to operate. A physical authentication mechanicsm (key or RFID fob) is all that's required - in the world of authentication methods (3-factor being something you have, something you know, & something you are), this would be something you have. Perhaps when users have to start logging into their vehicles (something they know, that can be tracked in a database) in order drive, your argument might be valid.
Brilliant indeed.
If the guy has done his research like you say, it isn't a stretch to say that he has been on this site. Not only that, he could probably see this thread since it's on the first page. Unless you find evidence of criminal activity on the computer (and you shouldn't be going through other people's files anyway), you should just do the job and move on. There is no point of ending up on "The First 48" over a macbook.
Of course you should report it immediately to the police
Imagine if it was your precious laptop
He is dumb enough to bring it in for unlocking no need to be scared.
Imagine if it was your precious laptop
He is dumb enough to bring it in for unlocking no need to be scared.