Does a college kid need a notebook lock?

[cgallery]

Daughter leaving for school on Sunday. Going to a state school. Living in dorms, with one roommate. Taking an Apple notebook, replacement value about $1000. Is it a complete waste of time/money to provide a lock for the machine?

[BigguyZ]

Nope- those things get stolen all the time. It's not a guarantee, but it'll prevent "casual" theft.

[Copper]

It's only a waste of money if she doesn't use it. It would be hard to protect while away from the dorm room, but it should be with her at all times then anyway.

[Wood_workur]

Yes. While they are fairly easy to bypass, having one will give some security against the roommate's shady friends and all the drunk kids that wander into the dorm.

Make sure you get one with a com that can be changed, not a keyed one.

[Uncle Cracker]

There will be lots of notebooks without locks, and this will probably make yours less attractive to a prospective thief.

[crokett]

Get the lock. It is pretty cheap insurance.

[JR]

It's only a waste of money if she doesn't use it. It would be hard to protect while away from the dorm room, but it should be with her at all times then anyway.

I understand at some college kids are known to leave their studies on Saturdays for social interactions at football games, pubs and the like. They probably don't do that in Madison.


JR

[cgallery]

Make sure you get one with a com that can be changed, not a keyed one.

Okay, I ordered one.

After reviewing all the available ones on Amazon, I went with a keyed one, though.

The combination locks apparently "get stupid" on some people and the combinations change.

She is accustomed to wearing keys, etc., around her neck because she is a lifeguard. So she said she'd just put the key there.

[cabinetman]

Spring for one of those locks that handcuff the laptop to her wrist.
.

[Mr__Bill]

While your at it get a GORE 2000 sticker.... no one wants to steal an old notebook.

There is also software that tracks where a notebook is and some that take a pic of the user and uploads it to a web site, though that could be interesting.

Bill, over here where it's still mid day

[radhak]

While your at it get a GORE 2000 sticker.... no one wants to steal an old notebook.

That is hilarious - but a seriously good idea! If I were to see an advt on CL for a laptop with a Gore 2000 sticker, I'd pass on it quickly, so I guess that'd work for any casual thief too.

Now what else could I use that for ...? My tablesaw? Nah - can't think of casual thief there !

[LCHIEN]

Spring for one of those locks that handcuff the laptop to her wrist.
.

that sounds better than a chastity belt! What guy would pick up a girl with a laptop chained to her waist?

[cgallery]

that sounds better than a chastity belt! What guy would pick up a girl with a laptop chained to her waist?

What is a geek, or a nerd?

[herb fellows]

Brilliant idea about the sticker! I purposely bought a Kodak camera bag for my Canon for the same reason.

[Tom Slick]

I am working for a LARGE company and go through security 3 times to get to my desk. Laptops are standard issue and are locked to your desk or taken home (preferred) every night if that's any indication of thievery issues. Of course in my case the data and access on the computer is of greater value than the computer itself.

When I'm at school my laptop doesn't leave my sight. We've had people steal the junky dirty mice out of the computer labs.