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How can I secure the MBA without a laptop security slot?

Hi folks,

I'm referring to physically securing the machine, rather than any form of digital security.

The Macbook Air lacks a security slot where one would normally employ one of those nice Kensington locks to chain the machine to, say, a desk.

Now considering how light and attractive these machines are, it seems far too easy for someone to just grab the thing and go.

I know many people reading it are going to suggest:
a. Take it with you (everywhere)
b. Hide it in a manilla envelope

But c'mon, those really aren't solutions.

My idea in buying a Macbook air is that I would, frankly, use it as a unix terminal, to visualize data, and to program.

I would shlep it from home to office where in the office I would plug it into an external monitor and peripherals, and at home I could resume my work right where I left off.

I don't want to have to unplug and replug in all my connections every time I have to take a wizz at the office.

Does anyone know of something like a lockbox that could hold my laptop with the box tethered to the desk with some sort of chain, ideally my previously bought Kensington chain?

I realize I would still have to unplug everything to place it in the box (unless this mythical box was actually just a cage... a jail, if you will, for my MBA), but this all still beats having to turn my MBA into a bathroom buddy.

Message was edited by: CmdrGuard

Powerbook G4 (15-inch FW800), Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Oct 25, 2010 2:46 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 25, 2010 6:58 PM

Alas, this has been an MBA question (and issue) from the moment the MBA was introduced. I don't know why Apple hasn't learned from past MBA buyers that such a slot is both useful and desired. Granted, it may be too thin for the usual placement of such a slot, but you'd think they'd have figured something out by now..

Anyway, there seem to be two answers. This:

http://www.cdwg.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=627125

Or this:

http://stores.ebay.com/Turn-Around-Technologies?refid=store

Here is a review of the bracket:
http://www.macgirl.net/reviews/Reviews/macbookairlockbracket.html

Some suggest a USB alarm cord--you plug in the USB and if the computer is detached, an alarm goes off, but, frankly, I don't think that's good enough. I think my new 11.6--presuming I get one--is going to be my bathroom buddy. But, hey, since I usually haul my bag with my wallet, etc. along with me, how hard is it to shut the computer and slip it in the bag? Leave the power cord as no one's likely to steal that.

We can only hope that if this laptop becomes hugely popular some third party will come up with a better, more elegant, and clever solution.
14 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 25, 2010 6:58 PM in response to CmdrGuard

Alas, this has been an MBA question (and issue) from the moment the MBA was introduced. I don't know why Apple hasn't learned from past MBA buyers that such a slot is both useful and desired. Granted, it may be too thin for the usual placement of such a slot, but you'd think they'd have figured something out by now..

Anyway, there seem to be two answers. This:

http://www.cdwg.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=627125

Or this:

http://stores.ebay.com/Turn-Around-Technologies?refid=store

Here is a review of the bracket:
http://www.macgirl.net/reviews/Reviews/macbookairlockbracket.html

Some suggest a USB alarm cord--you plug in the USB and if the computer is detached, an alarm goes off, but, frankly, I don't think that's good enough. I think my new 11.6--presuming I get one--is going to be my bathroom buddy. But, hey, since I usually haul my bag with my wallet, etc. along with me, how hard is it to shut the computer and slip it in the bag? Leave the power cord as no one's likely to steal that.

We can only hope that if this laptop becomes hugely popular some third party will come up with a better, more elegant, and clever solution.

Oct 25, 2010 9:36 PM in response to CmdrGuard

Thanks very much for the replies, JE13 and erikfsn.

Erikfsn, from what I understand Apple actually uses a USB alarm cord like the one JE13 mentions.

The thing will make all sorts of audible wails should it get stolen, but beyond all the bells and whistles, your laptop will still be gone. It's more of a USB swan song for the $1000+ you've spent.

Thanks again for those two possible solutions, JE13. But yeah, they sure are terrible. The bracket just looks absolutely awful. Really just awful. I can only imagine that you end scratching the glass screen and metal case in a matter of days with such a thing. Essentially you break your laptop rather than have it stolen - better I suppose, but not by much.

The kensington glue solution actually seems like a step up. You would significantly lose so much of the beauty and elegance of the device with a glued on metal plate, but at least the possibility exists that you could one day buy a solvent to detach it, if only for peace of mind in having that option.

Thinking about this, I think a cage really would be the way to go and I wonder if a "security cage" doesn't already exist for areas other than laptops.

I say a cage, rather than a lockbox, because a cage would presumably allow me to thread my power cables to the MBA inside.

If I could get a cage, I could get any small chain to lock it to the desk. I could deposit the laptop inside when I get into the office and take it out when I leave for the night.

Oct 25, 2010 9:50 PM in response to CmdrGuard

I see there are things like this:

http://www.datalinksales.com/phpstore/storepages/detail.php?productID=DS-NSS-5

This is of course above and beyond what I need. I just want something for one laptop. I'm just trying to feel my MBA is secure when I go for a cup of coffee. I don't need it to be able to withstand a a 12-gauge shotgun.

Maybe I should buy a hamster cage and shove it in there.

Thanks, Apple.

Message was edited by: CmdrGuard

Oct 25, 2010 9:49 PM in response to CmdrGuard

Dude, I dunno about the cage. Seems like the amount of time to put the MBA into a cage and then get it out is about the same as just closing it up and taking it with you.

The "joy" if you will of the Kensington lock is that you can still work on your laptop while it's leashed to the tabletop. I'm not sure what kind of cage you have in mind, but I can't imagine one that would let you work on the laptop while keeping it caged to the table.

Oct 27, 2010 10:12 PM in response to CmdrGuard

Just for the record, and those reading this also feeling my frustration, I don't believe the nasty bracket solution would work. I'm referring to this one:


http://stores.ebay.com/Turn-Around-Technologies?refid=store

Here is a review of the bracket:
http://www.macgirl.net/reviews/Reviews/macbookairlockbracket.html


The reason being, it appears the latest MBAs offer no clearance in the monitor hinge to fit this bracket.

This leaves gluing on a kensington security lock as the only other solution.

However, I found that there are also things like this:

http://www.secure-it.com/shop/index.php/cPath/30

http://www.computersecurity.com/computer_cage/index.html

http://www.americantheftprevention.com/Computer-Laptop-Security/Expandable-Lapto p-Bracket-p178.html


These appear to be the old fashioned laptop display security devices stores like best buy would use.

It isn't clear if these would in fact do the trick because the wonderful thinness of the air may make these brackets moot.

I'd love to try them out but from the info at the links, the prices are around $100. I imagine buying one and then trying to return it would result in a small (read: LARGE) restocking fee, assuming these less than consumer-friendly companies even have real return policies.

Nov 13, 2010 7:18 AM in response to Robato

Doesnt bother me personally but I reckon something along lines of this could be a solution

three plates and two USB pass thru connectors

L shaped plate for left of the machine with a usb pass thru on end of it

L shaped plate for right of the machine with a usb pass thru on end of it - this one incorporates a lug with a hole in it that the steel cord can pass thru

these two plates pass underneath the machine, plugging into the left and right USB ports as you line them up and are screwed together (the one fed from the right then prevents the one on the left being pulled out of its USB port and vice versa)

third plate slides along the first two, covering the screw that joins those two together. This plate also has a lug with a hole for the steel cord to pass thru and lines up with the lug on the right hand plate.

When the cord is passed thru the matching holes in the right hand plate and the sliding plate, then the sliding plate can no longer be slid back far enough to reveal the screw holding the two inner plates together.

User still has access to both USB ports thanks to the pass thru. Once steel loop is removed the frame could be removed in a minute or so, or left permanently attached to the machine (if you're willing to carry it with a USB pass thru 'ear' sticking out of each side)

Whole thing would raise the rear of the machine off the desk giving the keyboard a slightly angled profile.

Only way to remove it without releasing the steel loop would be to wedge a screw driver between it and one of the USB ports most likely ruining the port in the process.

Nov 13, 2010 8:39 AM in response to CmdrGuard

Hey, hey, boys and girls! Check this out! They made it specifically for the MBA...

http://applelocks.com/index.php/macbook-air

There's a movie on the website on how it works, but I can't manage to see the movie. If anyone can get the movie working, let me know. From what I can tell, there's some clear, plastic holder that locks the MBA's lower half and secures it to a table. I've no idea if they're sized for both 13" and 11" or just 13"

Dec 20, 2010 6:52 PM in response to JE13

I have to say as a proud owner of the new Macbook Air 11" AND having just returned from buying a Kensington K64590US MicroSaver DS Keyed Ultra-Thin Notebook Lock....I am stunned, stupefied and beyond words that my new MBA 11" does NOT have a slot!!!

Yes, I should have checked, my ignorance no doubt. I will be able to use it for my Macbook Pro, but like CmdrGuard, the MBA 11" is the baby I would want take to the cafe etc.

BIG mistake on Apple's part not including one. I do appreciate your (JE13) comments, and actually got my hopes up for a second looking at your links, but as we now know the bracket shown in macgirls review is an older MBA, different setup.

Sad, since in my humble opinion there is enough thickness at the edge of the MBA 11 to have an opening for a kensington slot.

And I too would not want to glue a bracket onto my beautiful MBA 11".....

I too can only hope somebody comes up with some kind of solution, thanks for ALL the comments!

Mar 8, 2013 3:09 PM in response to CmdrGuard

I'm looking at this post because of the exact same scenario as Traveler582.


Bought the lock while running errands and because I had a macbook pro and ipad, and a whole lot of other things I'll never put all in one backpack again, stolen not long ago and thought I'd add yet one more bit of security only to find out that my new mbp 13/RD has no security anchor slot either.


Things that make you go, "Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm....."


Will check out macbracket etc, thanks all :-)


+

Mar 8, 2013 6:55 PM in response to JE13

Hi, I just saw the video. The item is a clear case for the MBA. The case is described as similar to the Speck case without a logo on the top cover. The bottom portion screws on with the screws from the MBA. A tool is included to remove the bottom of the MBA case and screw the clear plastic case to it. The lock is included also. Cost is about $75.


The lock is attached to a part of the lower case in the corner by the power button. I Don't know if it is available for the 11 inch MBA or not. There is a listing for a clear security case for the 11" MBA listed at $49, lock not included.


Hope that helps.

How can I secure the MBA without a laptop security slot?

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