Review of the Kensington MicroSaver Alarmed Lock

So I have some stuff coming in for my laptop and i've never done a product review though i have meant to in the past. This is the first of 3.

I purchased the Kensington MicroSaver Alarmed Lock (MSRP ~$45) for $16.99US at www.directron.com I'm not really sure how they manage to sell it for so cheap, but I love PriceGrabber. My total came out to $25.21 with tax and shipping. I ordered on Friday night, they sent shipping notice yesterday and it was on my doorstep this afternoon through UPS. I'm impressed.

EDIT: 8.19.2006 I have been informed that directron no longer carries it for that price but here's a link to the pricegrabber list of vendors.

Now on to the product. It came in the standard painfully annoying hard plastic packaging that everyone hates and gets cut by in the opening process.



The lock includes an alarm function that should go off if the cable is cut, which is the only feature separating this lock from any others. The cable is 6ft, plenty of length for any laptop security application you could think of. The cable itself is "4mm aircraft grade," a description that is designed to assure you that this cable means "serious protection." The cable is solid, and rigid. There is also a velcro strap included to roll up the lock and make it more managable in your bag.



The lock is the standard Kensington T bar lock and the lock comes with two keys which have codes you can register at Kensington's website in case you lose your keys. The lock is extraordinarily solid, there is a rubber sleeve around the base to ensure a tight fit





As for the "alarm" function, the alarm is sufficiently loud and obnoxious, though i wish it was slightly louder and more obnoxious. It switches up the alarm pattern beeps to add some variation as the recording that i will post later will testify to.

The actual build of the alarm is not as solid as i was expecting, but it is plenty solid considering it's a bulletproof deadbolt. The silver slide down piece reveals the battery compartment, and disarms the lock to save battery. This slide down door is of particular concern since the action is not very smooth and i worry that the plastic will wear from all the sliding. It seems to be made of some sort of thin but solid metal over plastic. Though you cannot slide down the piece enough to unscrew and remove the battery while the cable is going through, it wouldn't be hard to break the door and remove the battery.



I tried removing the battery while the lock was armed, and nothing happened. The alarm is armed when the plastic door slides up and sort of locks into the up position after setting off a small switch. A switch like this


which is also on the other side, though i couldn't get a good picture of it.

There is also an alarm LED that blinks, though i couldn't time the shutter right to get a picture, so that people know that the lock is something a bit more than just a cable and some plastic. There is also a test button on the back so you can hear the alarm and check battery level.



All in all, I'm satisfied with my new lock. I would give it 4 out of 5 stars, only because the sliding mechanism on the door isnt as smooth as i think it should be. The alarm end isn't as solidly built as I would like, but for $25 with shipping, i can't complain. I guess I was expecting something more like a black box off an airplane. It's solidly built for being made of plastic. As far as I'm concerned, just having an alarm and the LED is comforting to alert any potential burglars to the extra security measures in place. A cable lock is already a theft deterrant, but a beeping light can only make it less tempting to steal. And if you do manage to break the silver sliding piece off, pull out the battery and either pick the lock with a Bic pen or cut the cable without being spotted, then I think you deserve the laptop and I have theft insurance.



Good
-thick kensington microsaver cable
-audible alarm alerts people around if the cable is cut
-"armed" light acts as an extra deterrant
-7 barrel lock harder to pick than those seen in videos online

Not So Good
-plastic lock housing (though the cable is still as secure inside it, i worry about the durability of the plastic)
-sliding metal door is a tad chintzy
-batteries can easily be removed if the thief is determined (but any lock can easily be removed if the thief is determined)

 

KidA,TY for the info & updt! I have been considering this model for +security. Did you ever consider using a different model or seen a friend's that was not one of these ??
FYI of All, NextWarehouse shows $22.98 delivered, but actual link =$44.83, PG infrmd!
I may try a techbargains search for another good deal like K got !

 

wow that's insane. thanks for telling me though, i'll take it out of the post.

 

nice review! thanks!

 

Do you ever get eyed suspiciously, or "randomly" checked/screened at the airport with that thing in your bag? I can see some poor guy with a lock in his bag having it mistaken for a bomb, especially in todays world. Meh, maybe i just need sleep.

 

yes i have seen other locks. however, at the time that i purchased it, this was the best deal and it had the extra features.

yeah airport security is going to be a pain either way with a laptop, this lock, creative zen, and a bag full of ac adapters and cables stuffed into my bag, so i'm expecting to get stopped for a while either way