Permanently marking case for security?

[Allgonquin]

My son has a newly acquired 13" white Macbook, which he's taking to school soon. There will be lots of other Macbooks at his school, and we know from past experience that the occasional theft does occur.

While I know it's probably heresy, I'd like to be able to mark the case of his computer permanently, first to easily be able to identify it amongst the other computers which will be around and about, and second for security purposes, so that someone who picks it up with the idea of theft might pass it up in favor of a lower hanging fruit, so to speak.

Since these computers look so nice, we don't want to just hack the case with a security engraver, etc. and I'm looking for something more permanent than stickers or Sharpies. And we're thinking of only marking the bottom. I know I could send it out for having it professionally engraved, but I'm hoping to hear some ideas for doing it at home, where I'm reasonably well equipped, tool wise.

Thanks for any ideas.

Rgds,
Allgonquin

 

[operator207]

All of my tools are engraved by me with a hand held engraver. I have used the same engraver to engrave plastic, though not a MB. With a steady hand, and if you mark it out with a thin marker or pencil first, it can look pretty professional. Just do it somewhere that you will not be bumped or disturbed. That is what usually made my engravings look sloppy.

Other things that would not be physical but could help for theft:

http://www.orbicule.com/undercover/
http://www.foozoodesign.com/lockdown.html

Another option would be some sort of RDF chip you put inside the case of the laptop. Though that may be a bit extreme, and would not be visible.

 

[ProwlingTiger]

I have not done this myself, but it seems logical to engrave it inside the battery compartment. Wouldn't spoil looks, plus if the battery is removed the engraving is still there.





I'm Dan, and I approve this message.

 

[alphaod]

My friends look after my stuff and I look after theirs.

I engrave some stuff with a carbide tip.

 

[mlemonds]

i dont think marking it physically would be the way to go unless you make it hideous to where no one wants to steal it. (put a big dell sticker on it) LOL j/k


the best way at getting the computer back would be to use software that can help you locate the laptop.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/11/stolen-laptop-recovered-with-back-to-my-mac/
Back to my Mac isn't intended for this purpose but the results were positive.


http://store.apple.com/us/product/TS718LL/A
sold at apple stores and online

 

[alphaod]

http://store.apple.com/us/product/TS718LL/A
sold at apple stores and online

Since Macs don't have a BIOS, wiping the HDD will rid of that.

 

[Benjamindaines]

Since Macs don't have a BIOS, wiping the HDD will rid of that.

You can set a firmware password that prevents erasing the hard drive.

 

[M4CBOOK]

i dont think marking it physically would be the way to go unless you make it hideous to where no one wants to steal it. (put a big dell sticker on it)

lol

 

[janey]

I know I could send it out for having it professionally engraved, but I'm hoping to hear some ideas for doing it at home, where I'm reasonably well

I had my MacBook laser etched. The white ones don't look that great when laser etched (it looks a dull brownish yellow), but it's worth a shot if you do ever consider it.

My laptop sticks out like a sore thumb everywhere, plus everyone knows its mine and it's prolly less likely to be stolen because it's so unique and unremovable (short of replacing the entire plastic casing). Better yet, you could get the name on there so it's even more obvious.

Also, all the products like Undercover are sort of useless, there are some ways to get past some of their protections, and in general you're not going to have much luck getting it back if you lose it (vs. someone explicitly stealing it). I suggest getting laptop insurance if the laptop isn't going to be covered by your homeowners or similar insurance. It's fairly cheap and covers more possible scenarios.

 

[bartzilla]

I have not done this myself, but it seems logical to engrave it inside the battery compartment. Wouldn't spoil looks, plus if the battery is removed the engraving is still there.





I'm Dan, and I approve this message.

I'd agree with putting some additional stuff in the battery compartment for this very reason, but they'd still want something on the outside case to act as an obvious deterrent.

 

[xJulianx]

I suggest getting laptop insurance if the laptop isn't going to be covered by your homeowners or similar insurance. It's fairly cheap and covers more possible scenarios.

Best advice yet. Simple.

 

[mlemonds]

I have not done this myself, but it seems logical to engrave it inside the battery compartment. Wouldn't spoil looks, plus if the battery is removed the engraving is still there.





I'm Dan, and I approve this message.

i was thinking the same thing, but having it where it is not visible isnt going to help on a university campus. It would take a very large man to take my laptop, and rip out my battery without me interfering.

 

[Fonzijr1964]

Get it painted at http://www.colorwarepc.com and put undercover on and ur name on the back
best bet

 

[alphaod]

You can set a firmware password that prevents erasing the hard drive.

Since the firmware password is stored on the HDD, taking the drive out and wiping it will leave one with a blank computer.

 

[Fonzijr1964]

Since the firmware password is stored on the HDD, taking the drive out and wiping it will leave one with a blank computer.

Criminal mind ^^^

 

[mlemonds]

Get it painted at http://www.colorwarepc.com and put undercover on and ur name on the back
best bet

great idea...

i am thinking of getting my MacBook painted after my warranty runs out.

 

[Fonzijr1964]

great idea...

i am thinking of getting my MacBook painted after my warranty runs out.

i may get my Air painted and when i pic up a new MBP and iPhone i will get them painted prolly too

I makes it unique so it will not be stolen

 

[mlemonds]

i may get my Air painted and when i pic up a new MBP and iPhone i will get them painted prolly too

I makes it unique so it will not be stolen

do you know if their painting technique will cover up any of the small scratches that the macbooks are prone to?

 

[Fonzijr1964]

do you know if their painting technique will cover up any of the small scratches that the macbooks are prone to?

yes they will cover up small ones if u mean if u send urs in

but if u buy one from them it will be very hard to scratch (and of course after it is coated if u send it in)

 

[mlemonds]

yes they will cover up small ones if u mean if u send urs in

but if u buy one from them it will be very hard to scratch (and of course after it is coated if u send it in)

thanks </hijack>

 

[old-wiz]

Get it painted at http://www.colorwarepc.com and put undercover on and ur name on the back
best bet

I checked that site; their base fee is $450 for color on a macbook. It's hardly worth paying that kind of money to deter theft. Insurance would be cheaper.

 

[Fonzijr1964]

I checked that site; their base fee is $450 for color on a macbook. It's hardly worth paying that kind of money to deter theft. Insurance would be cheaper.

but it makes it look cool too

 

[OrangeSVTguy]

You could always do something like this. Will only cost you like $50 in parts. And is reversable too.

 

[alphaod]

You could always do something like this. Will only cost you like $50 in parts. And is reversable too.

A new keyboard, top case, and display bezel will cost a lot more than $50!

 

[Fonzijr1964]

A new keyboard, top case, and display bezel will cost a lot more than $50!

yeah like 250