Kensington Lock: Will it damage the MBP?

[Hustler1337]

Hi,

I recently bought a 2011 15" MBP and will be using it at university library quite a lot. I don't wish to take the laptop with me when I visit the toilet in the library and would rather leave it on the desk so I can return within a couple of minutes to resume my work. So, I was contemplating on buying a Kensington Lock, more as a deterrent for opportunists rather than intentional thieves during the short time I'm away from the laptop.

However, I'm not sure exactly how a Kensington Lock works and am thinking that it requires tightening and so possibly damaging the Kensington Lock hole on the MBP. I'm quite obsessive about not having any scratches/damage on the machine, so would rather find out now from those who use or have experience with the locks if damage is likely to occur.

Any help much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[maflynn]

Those locks offer very little in terms of real protection. IF someone wants your laptop, a nice tug on the weakest point (locking mechanism) will be sufficient to remove the lock.

the lock fits in a slot in a laptop where a small tiny metal piece rotates 90 degrees when locked.

 

[Meetster]

Yes it will definitely damage ur MBP! I have bought several demo MBP's and i got rebate on them because the kensington lock damaged little the unibody! it's really slightly but if you look at it you will remark it

 

[Queen6]

Take the computer with you, these locks only deter the most casual of thief's. If someone wants to take your MBP they will easily defeat the lock.

You wouldn't leave $2000 US on the table unattended, nor would you pop the money into a plastic bag and hope no one walks off with it

 

[molala]

Yes, it can produce a circular scratch where the cylinder touches your laptop. This particular model supposedly has a rubber lining so it's better:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Original-Ke...2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1321188277&sr=1-2

If you stick to a good brand with a sensible locking mechanism, it will work as a deterrent, it will take too much trouble/time to free the laptop and draw attention in a public place. You can find ones that cost <$5 which have flimsy locks and cables and yes you can steal the laptop in seconds.

 

[DePaulBlueDemon]

It will scratch the area around the Kensington slot, yes. It's pretty inevitable as it's metal on metal. I did not know they made ones coded in rubber. Seems like a "duh" moment.

 

[Demosthenes X]

It is true that these locks are easily defeated.

However, in a crowded library I think you'll be fine. I've used a MacBook/Macbook Pro in my uni library for years with a Kensington lock and never had a problem.

I also use iAlertU, so if someone tries to grab the notebook it makes a lot of noise and ruckus. Again, not going to stop anyone, but it might deter them.

 

[Hustler1337]

Thanks for all your responses, much appreciated.

Those locks offer very little in terms of real protection. IF someone wants your laptop, a nice tug on the weakest point (locking mechanism) will be sufficient to remove the lock.

the lock fits in a slot in a laptop where a small tiny metal piece rotates 90 degrees when locked.

I understand that the locks offer little in terms of real protection, hence why I mentioned of using the lock more as a deterrent for opportunist thieves. I was thinking of getting the locks which have a number combination as opposed to the key-operated locks. Is the number combination locks just as easy to 'pick'?

Yes, it can produce a circular scratch where the cylinder touches your laptop. This particular model supposedly has a rubber lining so it's better:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Original-Ke...2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1321188277&sr=1-2

If you stick to a good brand with a sensible locking mechanism, it will work as a deterrent, it will take too much trouble/time to free the laptop and draw attention in a public place. You can find ones that cost <$5 which have flimsy locks and cables and yes you can steal the laptop in seconds.

Lol. I was looking at those cheap eBay versions to buy. I don't really wish to spend any more than £12 on a lock. But I do understand the stupidness of 'securing' an expensive machine with a flimsy lock Here's what I was thinking of getting: Link

It is true that these locks are easily defeated.

However, in a crowded library I think you'll be fine. I've used a MacBook/Macbook Pro in my uni library for years with a Kensington lock and never had a problem.

I also use iAlertU, so if someone tries to grab the notebook it makes a lot of noise and ruckus. Again, not going to stop anyone, but it might deter them.

The library isn't too busy, and will be quite empty during the early and latter parts of the day. I've just had a look at that iAlertU app and it looks great. I will certainly download the app. Thanks for the recommendation Demosthenes

 

[Mal]

Lol. I was looking at those cheap eBay versions to buy. I don't really wish to spend any more than £12 on a lock. But I do understand the stupidness of 'securing' an expensive machine with a flimsy lock Here's what I was thinking of getting: Link

That will almost certainly not only scratch the laptop, but also provide no significant deterrence even for a casual opportunistic thief. Either simply make sure to keep your laptop on you or get a better lock, but don't waste even a little bit of money on that type of lock.

jW

 

[thundersteele]

Lol. I was looking at those cheap eBay versions to buy. I don't really wish to spend any more than £12 on a lock. But I do understand the stupidness of 'securing' an expensive machine with a flimsy lock Here's what I was thinking of getting: Link

This.

My Kensington lock ($40 or so) has a rubber coating on the side that touches the MBP. No scratches ever.

 

[Hustler1337]

This.

My Kensington lock ($40 or so) has a rubber coating on the side that touches the MBP. No scratches ever.

Ouch, that is quite expensive - as a student I don't have that sort of money lying around (took me ages to save up for the MBP itself). I was thinking of placing a rubber washer between the MBP and lock to prevent scratches. Not sure if that will work.

Alternatively, I'll just save up for a few months.

 

[Retrostarscream]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A405 Safari/7534.48.3)

Same here, it took me while to gather the funds for my own MBP.

I suppose I am not the only one, but I literally shut the lid, wait for it sleep, put it back in its sleeve, place the sleeve in my backpack & haul it to bathroom with me, only to come back & set it up again.

Rather spend a few extra mins packing & unpacking then dealing with consequences of leaving it unattended.

This is my ritual during all study sessions.

 

[Queen6]

Rather spend a few extra mins packing & unpacking then dealing with consequences of leaving it unattended.

This is my ritual during all study sessions.

Smart Moves

 

[randomrazr]

put the macbook in ur bag and take it wih ur. even with a lock, ur actualyl **** enough to leave a 2000 dollar computer in the library ?

 

[thundersteele]

Ouch, that is quite expensive - as a student I don't have that sort of money lying around (took me ages to save up for the MBP itself). I was thinking of placing a rubber washer between the MBP and lock to prevent scratches. Not sure if that will work.

Alternatively, I'll just save up for a few months.

Well, I understand that. Honestly I don't use my lock all that much. I wouldn't leave it in a cafe or library, even with the lock, so I take it to the restroom. Since the MBPs have instant sleep/wakeup, it's not really an issue. I just use the laptop compartment in my backpack.

One other thing to consider: While the kensington lock might connect solidly to the laptop, it's often very hard to find an object to secure the lock to... so maybe just save yourself those $40 and carry it around.

 

[Takashi]

Well, I understand that. Honestly I don't use my lock all that much. I wouldn't leave it in a cafe or library, even with the lock, so I take it to the restroom. Since the MBPs have instant sleep/wakeup, it's not really an issue. I just use the laptop compartment in my backpack.

One other thing to consider: While the kensington lock might connect solidly to the laptop, it's often very hard to find an object to secure the lock to... so maybe just save yourself those $40 and carry it around.

Agree. I would never leave a laptop unattended especially in the library. Those locks are so cheap that anyone with some strength can rip it right out of the socket. Loosing a few minutes to packing / unpacking is nothing compared to loosing a computer with all your assignments in it. Even if you have insurance and backup, the pain of loosing your laptop is not worth it.

 

[gullySn0wCat]

put the macbook in ur bag and take it wih ur. even with a lock, ur actualyl **** enough to leave a 2000 dollar computer in the library ?

This.

Just take it with you

 

[diannao]

I work in a University Library and there is a real problem of laptop theft. Just take your MBP with you.

<humor>
Unless it's a 17", because hardly anyone can lift those, and the few people who can are the sort you'd want to have your fine laptop.
</humor>