How do you guys protect your laptop?

Hey guys,
I was wondering how everyone out there protects there laptop. Knowing myself, I will probraly get it stolen or something. Do you guys have any tips? Is it worth buying locks or anything like that. Please post your comments, anything will help me! I really don't want to get a 1500 computer stolen or lost. Do you guys buy insuraunce on it? Thanks guys! and if you guys did vote yes, please say how and what kind of item you used to protect. Oh does the fingerprint reader work good, my compal hel80 is going to have one.

 

My lock review is coming up later this week, it's awesome, just wait

Insurance might be a good idea. I wonder how much is renter's insurance... And if you spill coffee on your laptop, if you can claim that the cat knocked it over while you were in the bathroom... However, it should protect you in case the roof leaks or something. Maybe you can stage a leak (if you're in a house) into some room no one uses and say the laptop was under the leak. Hmm... Something to ponder.

Malia

 

locks are a great deterrent, they're not theft proof, but a thief will more than likely pick an easier target if your laptop is locked down.

 

that would probably be labelled as insurance fraud. I know with dell we've had users wonder if they can drop their laptop in a pool or do something stupid to it and get a new laptop (they have accidental coverage). My guess is that companies would be on the look out for those types of things.

The easiest way to protect your laptop - don't ever leave it in. Serously, if you plan on going to the bathroom or even to get a drink of water and you are in a public place, take the laptop with you or at least have a friend watch it. The locks are good, but as Andrew stated, they aren't theft proof. There is a video running around the web somewhere, and it shows that you can break one of those locks in 15 seconds (i think). We do have a thread about different types of insurances that you can buy. ( Thread)

If you are traveling and staying in a hotel, don't leave your laptop in the hotel when you are gone. Users have done that before, and the laptop ends up missing.

If you are worried about your data, then set a HDD or system password in the BIOS. Most BIOS have a setting so that you can set different security levels (i.e., must have a password for the laptop to even boot up. You wouldn't be able to reformat or anything with out that password.)

 

Oh crap, laptops go missing in hotels ? That would really suck - if I need to carry it with me everytime I go out.

 

I thought the Kensington locks have been revised? (from the video he was able to pick the lock with a toilet paper roll!) Eitherway, have a lock for safety and theft deterrent. Also try to keep your notebook hidden or in a safe area where it cant be stolen.

 

I suppose so.. But wouldn't spilling coffee on your laptop be considered an accident? If so, once it happens, what's the point of dropping it in a pool? Unless they're thinking of dropping an old laptop in a pool to try to get a new one...

I suppose for those of us without accidental coverage, we'll just have to wait until we can control our laptops using our brain telepathy-style, obviating the need for keyboards with their many pathways through which coffee can reach the valuable insides..

Malia

 

Someone on here has State Farm where they have a seperate policy for it and it's like $35 a year, I forget what it is. I thought about the renter's insurance thing through them and carrying this as a seperate as it covers other mobile electronics. I wish I could remember what the policy type is called...

EDIT: Here's the thread where it was originally discussed:

http://forums.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=60270&highlight=state+farm

I guess it's called a 'Personal Articles Policy'...here's the link to State Farm's page on it:

http://www.statefarm.com/insuranc/addins/personal.htm

I was told you have to have another policy with them, however as evidenced in the thread link I provided above, it can range. I've thought about getting renter's insurance through them and adding that seperately.

 

Just don't leave it in public places, and never leave it unattened. I personally leave mine at school on my desk whenever I want to, but my school is really small and I know everyone that goes there. And no one has a laptop like mine so I'd know if some one took it.. then I'd beat them to pulp.. lol. But lets hope that it never comes down to that.

 

If that $35 policy covers accidental coffee spillage, it's **** worth it! Assuming it covers the repair or replacement, of course. I'd sign up today if I didn't already spill coffee - and the repair costs $550 coz the mobo needs to be replaced, so I'm not doing it (all it's doing is not charging the battery) so it really sucks.. Shoulda had coffee insurance... I'll def. get it when I eventually replace my laptop, but it won't be any time soon.

Malia

 

i agree. If you're going to be using your laptop outside, in cafes or hotels or w/e, a lock is great. Just get one, it doesnt cost all that much n e way

 

The $35 rate from state farm was because he has his homeowners and car insurance through them as well. I didn't have any form of state farm insurance so it costs me $55 a year for I believe $2400 or $2500.

 

I dont care if I go to school with only 5 people, I wouldn't trust anyone

 

I know where they all live, I know their parents, I have access to my schools security cameras.. I'm pretty sure if some one did get the balls up to take it then I'd get some nice revenge on them.

 

u can get some stuff at compusa, lawjack or w/e

 

how about janitors? maintenance persons? teachers?

but i also leave my laptop on my office desk during lunch break, hmmm, after reading this thread maybe i should get a lock.

 

Yep, know all of them too.. its a really small school, and most everyone isn't into computers.. and none of them have personal laptops.

 

So thats really your picture.

 

I agree with everything everyone has posted. Locks are great deterrents. If someone REALLY wanted your computer or anything, they will get it. Locks will generally prevent the quickie thief who wants a fast hit. Plus, some insurance companies might view you in a better light seeing you took some effort in protecting your property.

Also, make sure when you do carry it with you when driving around, keep it in the trunk or somewhere covered.

 

Do they really have insurance? That's wild.
$35 a year sounds awful cheap.

 

I never leave my laptop unattended. I bring it wherever I go.

 

Yea and if I have to leave it I have a lock. However, I have only used it once.

 

http://youtube.com/results?search=laptop+lock&search_type=search_videos&search=Search

Those are some videos of people picking kensington locks, though they seem to be the older ones. There's also one of how easy it is to cut the cable, but there isn't a problem with that if you have the alarmed lock But the tool for picking locks is especially scary.

 

Yea I know they can be broken. However, like I said I have only once actually used it because I always have my notebook on me.

 

Yeah that's what I usually do. I found the videos interesting though, but people will always be picking locks and having the cable at least slows them down for a bit and it's worth the extra confidence.

 

I basically love my laptop too much to not have a decent notebook case for it. I also have a lock, but I never use it. There is never a strong, secure place to lock down the notebook.