Fingerprint Readers - The Basics

Not sure how many people use fingerprint readers, I have used 4 laptops with fingerprint readers and they do very from 70% accuracy to 15%, as well as the software suite which can vary from vital to unreliable

So here is my short review

VAIO TZ (£1500) - Touchstrip Fingerprint Reader, Upek software Solution
Most Accurate finger print reader I have used, 75% chance it will recognize you on the first swipe, if not then will on 2nd.
Upek software is a very good package can use it to save passwords and automatically log into websites with a single swipe if already on the homepage, if not a menu will pop up and just select the site you want to log into and then the magic happens, one software that makes your life so much easier, only down side is that if you use it to log into forums you can only log into it from the homepage not from threads or post replys


Asus N10J (£480)- Touchstrip Fingerprint Reader, Upek software Solution
Fingerprint reader is too recessed into body, making it hard to swipe also accuracy is around 20%

Acer 6935G (£750) - Validity Sensor, Acer Bio Protect Software
Their name for a fingerprint reader, accuracy around 40%, software is a cut down version of upek

Flybook V5 (£1500)- Authentech Fingerprint Reader, Vitakey software solution
Fingerprint read is in plain sight, 60% Accuracy, recognizes fingerprint on the first attempt most of the time, was not expecting much but it delivered.
On the other hand the vitakey software a copy of Upek but very slow to launch, when logging into sites sometimes the window to scan the finger does not come up, so makes it useless except for logging into windows, good hardware let down by poor software


Conclusion

I find I used the TZ Reader a lot from logging into sites to unlocking the laptop due to how accurate it was, one swipe and your in but it seems you get what you pay for the high end notebooks seem to have the most accurate fingerprint readers, with Upek being the best software solution, unfortunately only works with touch strip readers, not sure if the Asus had the same model reader as the Sony might be the reason why it is so inaccurate

Most people see a fingerprint reader as a gimmick, but I find it very useful when bundled with the right software, easily saves lots of time and keep everything secure

Next time you by a laptop be wary as the fingerprint reader can range from Useful to down right unreliable, not sure what custom laptop builders such as Clevo use for their builds, but no harm in asking, I recommend you stick to a Touchstrip reader although accuracy is not guaranteed, but at least they come bundled with upek, if not you can buy the software for less that $10

Hope this has been a useful read

 

On the Sony SZ the fingerprint readre is quit good overal too

Oh, and hands should not be wet/moist (from washing hands), or very dry is what I found.