mark/etch for identification

I'm putting this question here cuz i think it's the closest topic.

Laptop theft is always a worry for any owner. So how can we "mark" our laptops for easier identification in case of theft or even just mistaken misplacement. Of even just to make sure you get it back after going through the airport checkpoint.

I'm talking about something like a name/address/phone number or similar that would not be easily removed by anyone.

Tags can be removed, along with most stickers. There are stickers that are metal that are designed not to ever come off. And then the ultimate, etching the metal or plastic of the case. Only way to remove is to grind down the case itself.

So which of these options is the most viable?

 

There are engraving tools that are only ~$20 that you can get. I'd suggest doing it on the inside of one of the doors on the bottom of your computer, like the memory door or whatnot, as well as in a visible place. That way it's somewhat hidden and can identify it as yours, as well as having a copy that someone can see easily. That's what I'd suggest, and what I do.

You could also use paint pens, enamel pens that would basically take some very caustic chemicals or severe grinding down to remove.

 

I'm not sure if engraving would be the best. IF someone wanted to cover it up they could fill it in with an epoxy and paint the notebook. It's a lot of work to go through, but who wouldn't for a simple profit. I doubt the police would ask someone to remove the paint unless there was substantial proof otherwise that it was stolen. A surface treatment would be tougher.. again could be sanded this time..and painted. In addition, if I marked anything, it would be to a part of the notebook that was hard to replace. panels and such can be found through ebay from DOA notebooks. Once swapped the signiture is gone.

Maybe you could put a tracking device inside.. a gps. Even the Millenium Falcon can be tracked, despite Han Solo's feelings on the matter.
A clear uv paint or chemical (tide)..is there such a thing. It might be possible to mark the heck out of the laptop, and the theif not know. Simple to scan over with a black light, and less likely to be covered up

and another thought. I can't remember where the article is BUT.. Someone created a program for their Macbook that would snap a picture from their webcam every time it awoke from sleep. The picture was then sent to an online storage website for remote viewing. Something like this would also be useful. It sure was useful at snapping pictures of Macs facility

 

Well, I'm using the Lojack for Laptops which sounds like it works well. It still reports completed calls even though I have an outbound firewall so it is doing its job by getting past it.

At my school, all of the school computers have big metal stickers used by some company. I don't know what kind they are but I'll try to find out. However, they're permanent in they take hundreds of pounds of force to remove.

 

https://stoptheft.com/site/products_security_plate.php

That is the security plate and it's only about $25

 

mfmbcpman, do you have any experience with this company?

 

No, I just know it from some of my classmates' and teachers' laptops.