locks, revisited

This has been posted on recently, but I'm still confused about the best/least expensive laptop locks. I have twins going off to college in Sept. with brand new laptops. What about combo vs keys? I've read negative reviews on even some name brand locks say the combinations can change on their own, randomly. The lock has to be easy to lock and unlock or the kids won't use them.
Any fresh opinions on these?
thanks
richard

 

In my experience, physical notebook locks (Kensington or otherwise) seem to offer little in the way of deterrence to would-be thieves. Have you thought about using LoJack for laptops?

 

If the laptops have physical ports for the locks (like many business models do), they seem fairly effective unless the thief is willing to physically rip the lock out of the frame. From things I've read/heard though, LoJack (even though I got it before learning these things) isn't all that great. It doesn't have GPS or any other special hardware to allow for any sort of triangulation, all it does is phone home when activated with a route trace that cops can subpeana to try to track down the point they last accessed the internet from. Dubious value at best, if you ask me. Also, there was recently a story on a security vulnerability in the software LoJack uses that could compromise your system if exploited. It's a small risk for the time being, but still...

 

This should help, redsox guy. http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=5157245&postcount=605

 

i used a kensington key/lock for my laptop and its works well, the best way to keep your laptop safe is common sense, i live in a dorm so i always make sure to lock my door.
In terms of lojack, i find it somewhat pointless unless you 1) have no hard drive password and 2) have no account password. Lojack only works if the thief is able to connect to the internet.