Laptops are a way of life for many people, not just for business professionals but also students, retirees, and stay-at-home parents. The past few years saw a significant drop in the affordability of laptops, making them a more convenient option than a desktop computer. Laptops are quickly replacing desktop computers the way cellphones are replacing landlines in residential homes across the globe.
Another benefit of laptops is that they are ready to use straight out of the box. Aside from charging the battery and running a few start-up programs, a new laptop is ready to use in a fraction of the time that it takes to prepare a desktop computer for use. The one-piece design eliminates the need for complicated cables required to sync the various elements of a desktop models.
Laptop Theft is Expensive
The convenient portability of a laptop is also its biggest downfall. While it is a great option for traveling business people or students required to walk across campus from one class to the other, the primary quality that makes laptops so desirable to its owners, its mobility, is also what attracts thieves.
The value of a stolen laptop depends not only on the actual value of the laptop itself, but also on its contents. A laptop used for business, depending on the nature of the career, might have thousands of dollars’ worth of software and priceless documents. Without a lock for laptops, the devices sitting ducks for opportunistic thieves.
Protecting Your Laptop
- Cables are the most cost effective way to protect your laptop and deter thieves. Just the fact that you care enough to take the extra step presents the image that it’s not worth the thief’s time to even try. But when you attach a security device like a Kensington laptop lock that has a T-bar locking mechanism, you can rest easy knowing that to steal your laptop; a thief would be forced to disable your home computer desk.
- Alarms are another form of laptop theft prevention. When used in conjunction with a Kensington laptop lock in a busy or crowded area, your device is twice as safe. Even if the thief does manage to bypass the locking mechanism the alarm, which could register as high as 110 decibels, will cause people to take notice. Attention to unscrupulous their own unscrupulous actions is the one thing that thieves dislike the most.
- Common sense is the best way to keep your laptop safe, even when employing alternative solutions like alarms and locks for laptops. You’ve heard the saying “out of sight, out of mind” right? Storing your laptop in an unassuming carrying case and keeping the bag with you will help keep your laptop with you as well. Don’t get in the habit of leaving your bag unattended, even for a minute. Thieves look forward to moments like that, with or without laptop locks.
I use my laptop for everything from web video conferencing for my career to personal research about my family’s genealogical roots. Even though a lot of my files are backed up on a Cloud drive, laptop theft would take a noticeable hit to my finances. Some information, like family photos that I hadn’t backed up to an online album yet, would be lost forever if some thief walked off with my laptop. Fortunately laptop locks keep my device safe regardless of where I am.
When I made the decision to purchase a laptop lock, I visited Amazon and checked out several different accessories to help with theft prevention. The Kensington laptop lock caught my eye not only because it has nearly 4 out of 5 stars overall, but also because of its features. The carbon tempered steel cable is extremely durable but has a thin design that doesn’t get in the way of using my laptop.
Reviewers have great things to say about this Kensington lock, having cited use with both Windows laptops and MacBook Pro computers. One 5-star reviewer offered these comments, “I needed a good but inexpensive cable lock to secure my laptop to a desk during a customer visit. This cable lock did the trick just fine. It’s lightweight, very well constructed, and did the job. I highly recommend this lock system if you want a simple system for securing your laptop at a reasonable price.”

