Macbook Pro Stolen

[typecase]

It really irritates me. Did it get stolen in Cape Town international or Johannesburg international? It is a big problem in these two airports. There was a big court case against the SA airports company. They had recordings of laptops getting stolen and they haven't done a single thing about it. There are so many stupid @&*^% living in South Africa. There are HUGE problems with crime here at the moment. 90% of the population thinks that if if you rape a virgin, your AIDS will be cured A$$holes.

I bet the police weren't very helpful either. They are also a bunch of A$$holes. Most of them can't even speak english properly

It happened on Johannesburg International. And no, the airport authorities nor the police were very helpful. That said, South Africa is a gorgeous country, especially Cape Town. The crime situation is a bit unnerving especially when it involves a lot more than a stolen MacBook Pro. I certainly hope they get this problem solved so they don't slide into that place where most other African countries are stuck.

More advice for those of you who still have your hardware: a firmware password is probably a good idea while you travel. It will prevent someone from simply formatting your HD if they try. It's not foolproof but it does make the thiefs job harder.

 

[erickkoch]

I also keep the strap around my leg when I put my pack down on the floor and when I leave my laptop in the hotel room I cable it to the plumbing in the bathroom just in case the housekeepers have sticky fingers. Doesn't sound very clean but haven't lost it yet.

 

[poppe]

Hey man sorry to hear your situation, but I have a website for you incase you get another laptop soon.

http://www.safeware.com/index.php Maybe you've heard of them, but they sell laptop insurance for like 250 a year or something like that... All you do is put in what your valuables are worth and it generates a yearly rate. With my going to college I plan on getting that.

I'm not trying to say hey look stupid this is waht you should have done; not at all. I'm just trying to offer some help for next time.

 

[dextertangocci]

It happened on Johannesburg International. And no, the airport authorities nor the police were very helpful. That said, South Africa is a gorgeous country, especially Cape Town. The crime situation is a bit unnerving especially when it involves a lot more than a stolen MacBook Pro. I certainly hope they get this problem solved so they don't slide into that place where most other African countries are stuck.

More advice for those of you who still have your hardware: a firmware password is probably a good idea while you travel. It will prevent someone from simply formatting your HD if they try. It's not foolproof but it does make the thiefs job harder.

Did you have insurance? One of my friends from the USA came to visit me, and his laptop was stolen right out of his hotel room. His home owners insurance or something like that covered it. They transfered the money to him the next day.

I checked all the South African web sites that your MBP could have been put up for sale on, like Craiglist. I found nothing I also looked in some pawn shops and second hand shops, but found nothing there either

 

[Macmaniac]

Make sure you alert Apple to the theft, in case it breaks and someone takes it into a repair shop. That way when the shop runs the S/N they will see that its stolen. Its a long shot but you might as well try.

 

[howesey]

Make sure you alert Apple to the theft, in case it breaks and someone takes it into a repair shop. That way when the shop runs the S/N they will see that its stolen. Its a long shot but you might as well try.

If it is like most laptop manufacturers, next time it goes on the web it will call home, the manufacturer pick up on the S/N and the laptop no longer boots as it gets locked. Give Apple Care a call.

 

[Applespider]

I checked all the South African web sites that your MBP could have been put up for sale on, like Craiglist. I found nothing I also looked in some pawn shops and second hand shops, but found nothing there either

Despite this thread being about a theft, you've just restored my faith in humanity a little by taking time out of your day to go looking for the OP.

 

[drummerbooker14]

if you happened to have bought it within the last 90 days through american express they will refund you

 

[Makosuke]

I'm with Applespider--dextertangocci has just restored my faith in humanity.

When I'm relaxing on an airport bench or wherever, I always make sure my bags are somehow physically attached to me--I stick my foot through one strap on a backpack or wrap the camera bag's shoulder strap around my thigh or whatever. At worst, if I'm stopping to do something, I'll put the bag between my legs and put some pressure on it so I'll at least feel it if somebody grabs it and have a shot at running them down.

Here's hoping your travel insurance does some good.

 

[Mammoth]

I _wonder_ what would happen if you called Apple and said it was stolen, etc. and you give them the serial number for it.. probably nothing , but's always worth a shot.

 

[generik]

I do too, but something tells me that in South Africa it wouldn't make much of a difference. But you would have some nice pictures of the schmuck who stole your laptop.

Suppose the thief didn't connect it to the internet, would undercover still do anything?

 

[Mord]

Suppose the thief didn't connect it to the internet, would undercover still do anything?

a magical flamethrower will come out of the firewire port and shoot fire in the air saying "stolen"

 

[dextertangocci]

a magical flamethrower will come out of the firewire port and shoot fire in the air saying "stolen"

Oh, so that's what firewire does

What if you hsve a firewire 800 port? does the fire burn twice as bright?

 

[dextertangocci]

Make sure you alert Apple to the theft, in case it breaks and someone takes it into a repair shop. That way when the shop runs the S/N they will see that its stolen. Its a long shot but you might as well try.

typecase,

If you give me your serial number, I could have the Apple repair centres in South Africa, and all the Apple resellers here to look out for it if it turns up

 

[Kane.Elson]

Gah thiefs **** me. I hope you get it back or get insurance or whatever

 

[typecase]

typecase,

If you give me your serial number, I could have the Apple repair centres in South Africa, and all the Apple resellers here to look out for it if it turns up

Thanks for this. I'll give you PM soon. Sorry I didn't reply earlier. I was out of town.