Locks: Cable or Alarm?

Any recommendations for securing a laptop in hotel rooms?

If left unattended for several hours, couldn't a cable be cut?

Either way, any suggestions for high-quality locking devices?

Many thanks, as always!

 

Honestly, any method of security can be defeated. Look at it from this perspective, if you're away from your room and the alarm goes off, are you going to be close enough to respond?

Personally, I have a Kensington cable, but use it very rarely. I've left my laptop in plain view for hours on end in hotels and have never had a problem. Not to say that was the smartest thing to do, but I have a general trust of people. My advice is rely on a cable or alarm when you're in an area where you're within eyesight or hearing distance of your machine. When I do use my cable, it's usually at an airport, hotel lobby, train station...somewhere public where it would seem odd someone is freeing a laptop with a hacksaw. If you're looking for hotel security, use the safe if your machine can fit. If not, get creative. You can hide a laptop amongst dirty clothes (wrapped in a towel or something), if the hotel has removable ceiling panels, place it in the ceiling. If it's a situation where your room has already been cleaned...hide it under the bed. Do you really need your room cleaned? Can you make up the bed yourself? If so, throw on the Do Not Disturb sign...no one should enter your room.

In some classes I teach, I also suggest biometric devices and external storage. An insurance company will replace your laptop, they can't do anything about the information that is on it. Get a USB or PC-Card drive and store your important files there. Worse comes to worse, you'll have to wait a few days for your new machine but will have immediate access to your information. Food for thought. Be safe.

EDIT: Almost forgot, if you have a TV in a cabinet in your room...try to hide your machine in there.

 

Thanks, Big Calhoun. Many thoughtful ideas. I'm assuming the sound of an alarm might cause someone to flee, even tho I'd not be within hearing distance.

Do I need my room made up? No. But I'll figure out how to deal with the notebook before I give that up! I accept your challenge to be creative in outwitting a would-be thief! [ ]