MacBook Pro Kensington cable lock slot problems: who is at fault here?
I purchased a MacBook Pro for my wife in Nov 2006; although I am not sure of the model number, it is the first generation to use the 2.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor. The laptop has never left our flat, however it is usually cable locked to the radiator when we are away for extended periods. I have been using “older” generation of Kensington cable locks for many years now on many different types of laptop, mostly IBM Thinkpads, but I recently replaced my older generation (late 90s) Kensington cable locks (thin cable, smallish lock mechanism with a barrel/cylinder style key) with the new Kensington Microsaver DS notebook locks, which use a new “disc lock” with a different key and are generally way sturdier. However, after 2 months of intermittent use with the MacBook Pro, the Kensington security slot on the right had side has been completely reamed, and the Kensington DS lock now simply falls out when supposedly “secured”.
Thinking that I am not alone, I Googled my observations and discovered many postings of other users who have experienced the same problem. I also found poor feedback for another Kensington lock on the Apple online store. I am not exactly sure who is at fault here. Is it a design issue with the security slot, or are the new Kensington Microsaver DS locks just too brutish for the dainty and precious MacBook Pro???
For over a decade I have owned or been in possession of (via work) numerous laptops, including Toshibas, Dells, Compaqs and, for over 6 years, Thinkpads (both IBM and Lenovo). For all of this time I have religiously secured them with Kensington cable locks, at the office, at home (when out), in the car and at the pub. This was done partly for peace of mind, but with company issued laptops, it was a requirement for insurance purposes. No cable lock, no reimbursement if nicked. Besides, too many stolen laptop stories vindicate this behaviour, and I did have a Thinkpad power supply stolen from my second-floor desk while away at a meeting many years ago; if my laptop was
not locked up, I am sure it would have gone walkabout as well. Although I just gave 3 older Kensington locks away, I currently own 4 new Kensington locks, including 3 Microsaver DS locks and 1 Microsaver Twin, which I use to lock up a Tektronix MSO4000 oscilloscope up on my workbench. (Yes, even oscilloscopes now come with Kensington security slots.)
To this day, I have never, never, never had an issue with the security slot failing so catastrophically with any PC, and in fact the Thinkpad security slot has no issues with the new Microsaver DS locks I have been using for the past 2 months. Upon closer inspection of the MacBook Pro security slot, it appears that there is a metal locking plate that is supposed to sit in the back of the security slot, with which the Kensington cable lock mechanism meshes with when turning the key to the locked position. This metal plate is now “floating around” inside the laptop, albeit near the slot. Sandwiched between the precious aluminium casing and this plate is grey plastic. It appears to me that the Kensington lock mechanism has managed to wedge itself between the grey plastic and the locking plate, both shredding the plastic and dislodging the plate!
It looks like the MacBook Pro will have to go to Apple for repair (I did purchase the Applecare Protection Plan), however IMHO this appears to be a design issue with the security slot. What are your thoughts?
I purchased a MacBook Pro for my wife in Nov 2006; although I am not sure of the model number, it is the first generation to use the 2.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor. The laptop has never left our flat, however it is usually cable locked to the radiator when we are away for extended periods. I have been using “older” generation of Kensington cable locks for many years now on many different types of laptop, mostly IBM Thinkpads, but I recently replaced my older generation (late 90s) Kensington cable locks (thin cable, smallish lock mechanism with a barrel/cylinder style key) with the new Kensington Microsaver DS notebook locks, which use a new “disc lock” with a different key and are generally way sturdier. However, after 2 months of intermittent use with the MacBook Pro, the Kensington security slot on the right had side has been completely reamed, and the Kensington DS lock now simply falls out when supposedly “secured”.
Thinking that I am not alone, I Googled my observations and discovered many postings of other users who have experienced the same problem. I also found poor feedback for another Kensington lock on the Apple online store. I am not exactly sure who is at fault here. Is it a design issue with the security slot, or are the new Kensington Microsaver DS locks just too brutish for the dainty and precious MacBook Pro???
For over a decade I have owned or been in possession of (via work) numerous laptops, including Toshibas, Dells, Compaqs and, for over 6 years, Thinkpads (both IBM and Lenovo). For all of this time I have religiously secured them with Kensington cable locks, at the office, at home (when out), in the car and at the pub. This was done partly for peace of mind, but with company issued laptops, it was a requirement for insurance purposes. No cable lock, no reimbursement if nicked. Besides, too many stolen laptop stories vindicate this behaviour, and I did have a Thinkpad power supply stolen from my second-floor desk while away at a meeting many years ago; if my laptop was
not locked up, I am sure it would have gone walkabout as well. Although I just gave 3 older Kensington locks away, I currently own 4 new Kensington locks, including 3 Microsaver DS locks and 1 Microsaver Twin, which I use to lock up a Tektronix MSO4000 oscilloscope up on my workbench. (Yes, even oscilloscopes now come with Kensington security slots.)
To this day, I have never, never, never had an issue with the security slot failing so catastrophically with any PC, and in fact the Thinkpad security slot has no issues with the new Microsaver DS locks I have been using for the past 2 months. Upon closer inspection of the MacBook Pro security slot, it appears that there is a metal locking plate that is supposed to sit in the back of the security slot, with which the Kensington cable lock mechanism meshes with when turning the key to the locked position. This metal plate is now “floating around” inside the laptop, albeit near the slot. Sandwiched between the precious aluminium casing and this plate is grey plastic. It appears to me that the Kensington lock mechanism has managed to wedge itself between the grey plastic and the locking plate, both shredding the plastic and dislodging the plate!
It looks like the MacBook Pro will have to go to Apple for repair (I did purchase the Applecare Protection Plan), however IMHO this appears to be a design issue with the security slot. What are your thoughts?
