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Macbook Air Anti-Theft Solutions?
- Thread starter chanyitian
- Start date
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The thing is, common sense will always prevail, until something totally screwy happens. For instance, some months ago I witnessed a dude who came into a Starbucks and stole a lady's MacBook Pro WHILE SHE WAS USING IT! He just grabbed it and ran for it. When we ran out, someone was already outside ready with a car. It was unbelievable.
I dont let my macbook air more than an arms length away from me when I am away from home.
Even when at starbucks, when I walk 6 feet away from my table to the counter to get my coffee, I will pick up my mac. But since its so light, its no bother.
Ever since I had a nice road bike stolen (they cut the lock off) I am very careful with my valuables.
I bought a $75 lock for my new bike.
If I had to use my macbook a lot in public areas, i'd probably get the lowjack for laptops device.
Even when at starbucks, when I walk 6 feet away from my table to the counter to get my coffee, I will pick up my mac. But since its so light, its no bother.
Ever since I had a nice road bike stolen (they cut the lock off) I am very careful with my valuables.
I bought a $75 lock for my new bike.
If I had to use my macbook a lot in public areas, i'd probably get the lowjack for laptops device.
just too cool, like the pic of the person with it safety locked around their waist...
(looks like it's on a bungee cord too)I gave this post a +1
The key thing is to prevent identity theft due to a lost laptop. I use FV2 (it is the first thing I turn on when I get a new Mac).
I do not turn off sleep mode because I find it to be very useful during normal "attended" use. However, whenever I leave my laptop alone in a hotel room, car trunk, etc.. then I do a shut-down.
If someone stole my laptop, a quick trip to the Apple Store, and an hour of Time Machine restore would have me up and running. Insurance will cover some of the loss... and worse case, I can afford to self-insure the entire purchase.
The laptop itself is expendable. The data (and the identify theft that can incur) is the valuable asset.
/Jim
Forget the Macbracket. After another user posted his experience with the Macbracket damaging the Macbook Air, the manufacturer claimed this would not be the case if mounted properly and cautiously. Well, even while being cautious and following the instructions to the letter, after a number of times, I also ended up scuffing my $2299 Ultimate MBA right at the edge where the Macbracket is supposed to come out $%$^#&@#^$!!!
For me the Macbracket definitely is a no-go!
For me the Macbracket definitely is a no-go!
And obviously, sleep with it. But most people will want to do that anyway.
I haven't slept with my MacBook Air (yet). Do I need protection to ensure I don't end up with a whole load of little iPads running around?
The probability of that happening to someone else (unless they live in Iraq or some crappy place like that) is like .03%
I haven't slept with my MacBook Air (yet). Do I need protection to ensure I don't end up with a whole load of little iPads running around?
Pick your favourite answer!
1. You should be so lucky.
or
2. Where else you think iPad Minis come from?
Yeah, no. http://preyprojectissues.tumblr.com
I think with a bit of common sense you can't get your MBA stolen. It's not a small smartphone someone can easily snatch out of your pocket. Don't leave it on the table, if you have to go to the bathroom, take it with you. At least that's what I would do. I prefer not to be lazy than to install all kinds of weird hardware and software on my machine.
Portability has limits
That doesn't work when you have to set up the laptop and say, go out and shoot a football game...
What I think they could have done is made the headphone port a combo where you could put a Kennsington style lock in to the hole, but allow for some sort of passthrough, if you needed to use the port.
How does that happen? I don't know, but I would hope the brainiacs at Apple could figure out an elegant solution.
That doesn't work when you have to set up the laptop and say, go out and shoot a football game...
What I think they could have done is made the headphone port a combo where you could put a Kennsington style lock in to the hole, but allow for some sort of passthrough, if you needed to use the port.
How does that happen? I don't know, but I would hope the brainiacs at Apple could figure out an elegant solution.
MACBRACKET again
It works if used cautiously, is easy to carry, and isn't expensive. I've found it trickier to get it on than take it off again.
No scratches so far, but then all you'd have to do is try to shut the machine with the lock in place and it would be junk.
My boss told me to put a security lock on the MBA or he wouldn't let me use it in the office so I bought one.
Gordon
It works if used cautiously, is easy to carry, and isn't expensive. I've found it trickier to get it on than take it off again.
No scratches so far, but then all you'd have to do is try to shut the machine with the lock in place and it would be junk.
My boss told me to put a security lock on the MBA or he wouldn't let me use it in the office so I bought one.
Gordon
Simple
Never leave it unattended. Never.
Pray the guy that tries to rip it out of your hands is smaller than you.
Never leave it unattended. Never.
Pray the guy that tries to rip it out of your hands is smaller than you.
My solution
http://www.simpleoutdoorstore.com/outsak_spectrum_paypal.html
Light mesh to contain in; cheaper and easy to pack, not to mention its only a half pound. Find a lock and stick it on.
It may not be as secure as the super bulky heavy ones; but i think it will do.
http://www.simpleoutdoorstore.com/outsak_spectrum_paypal.html
Light mesh to contain in; cheaper and easy to pack, not to mention its only a half pound. Find a lock and stick it on.
It may not be as secure as the super bulky heavy ones; but i think it will do.
Make sure to set up "Find my Mac" on it so that you have a chance of tracking it down in the event that it does get stolen
one more suggestion
In addition to using FileVault 2, I recommend setting a firmware password, which will prevent someone with bad intentions from wiping out the hard drive and reinstalling the OS.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1352
Not sure why this article is tagged as Archived, I think the content is still valid.
Basically you boot into your recovery partition (cmd-r while starting up) and use the Utilities to set an EFI Firmware password.
Make sure you don't lose the password, as you will need it to do any OS upgrades or re-installs.
In addition to using FileVault 2, I recommend setting a firmware password, which will prevent someone with bad intentions from wiping out the hard drive and reinstalling the OS.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1352
Not sure why this article is tagged as Archived, I think the content is still valid.
Basically you boot into your recovery partition (cmd-r while starting up) and use the Utilities to set an EFI Firmware password.
Make sure you don't lose the password, as you will need it to do any OS upgrades or re-installs.
Best MacBook Lock
PNY has a through the hinge lock that works with all the MacBooks, including the new air. From looking at the other locks out there this seems like the best solution, as you don't have a clunky plate to attach. Plus, MacMall has them for $24.99. http://www.macmall.com/p/PNY-Security-Devices/product~dpno~9333495~pdp.hjbhdeb
PNY has a through the hinge lock that works with all the MacBooks, including the new air. From looking at the other locks out there this seems like the best solution, as you don't have a clunky plate to attach. Plus, MacMall has them for $24.99. http://www.macmall.com/p/PNY-Security-Devices/product~dpno~9333495~pdp.hjbhdeb
Possible MacBook Air Security Solution ?
This looks like another possible device to secure MacBook Airs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKzyEcxyhhg
Again, your MacBook Air cannot be completely closed.
This looks like another possible device to secure MacBook Airs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKzyEcxyhhg
Again, your MacBook Air cannot be completely closed.
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