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PeckhamBog

macrumors 6502
Nov 28, 2007
272
2
London
Now the British Army has lost a notebook, that rules them out as a future corporate user of the security slotless MBA. And they were getting so excited about being re classified as the RAF.
 

bretm

macrumors 68000
Apr 12, 2002
1,951
27
I'm not sure about the MBA because it only has USB, but previous laptops could simply be booted in target disk mode and full access to every thing was then possible via FireWire. So your screenlocks are meaningless.

I have been wondering about that, and I am not sure. I think it would depend on the environment in the shop at that moment. If I just gotta take a leak and there are some friendly people around, I think I might lock my MB to a table and/or a couple of chairs. It would be tremendously difficult for someone to get it in the time I'd be gone. Basically, they would have to smash the chair, or go at the cable with a big-handled cutter. I think someone would notice.

I do have my current MacBook FileVaulted and screen-saver locked, so if it gets stolen, at least my data/identity is safe. But of course I'd like for it to not get stolen.

In any event, I certainly have had cause to lock my MB. Such as when I've needed to leave it behind in a hotel room. I imagine I could try to hide the MBA, but... I'd feel better if it was tied down to something while I'm out snorkeling. :)
 

Nugget

Contributor
Nov 24, 2002
2,166
1,466
Tejas Hill Country
It is a little difficult for me to imagine an expensive, ultra-portable, sexy, easy-to-steal computer that has no security slot.

Wow, you mean people actually use those things? I had no idea. Seriously, I've never used the security slot on a laptop. I don't know anyone who has ever used the security slot on their laptop. I've never even seen a stranger use the security slot on their laptop.
 

iVoid

macrumors 65816
Jan 9, 2007
1,148
197
I'm not sure about the MBA because it only has USB, but previous laptops could simply be booted in target disk mode and full access to every thing was then possible via FireWire. So your screenlocks are meaningless.

Did you miss him mention Filevault? Just getting access to the boot volume will not get someone into the filevault.

As far as I know, there's no crack/backdoor for Filevault/encrypted disk images, so the data should be safe (as long as you use a good password that can't be easily cracked and is not on a sticky note on the bottom of the MPA :) ).
 

Silentwave

macrumors 68000
May 26, 2006
1,615
50
I'll join the ranks of 'it doesn't matter to me'. I've never used a security slot, and have seen maybe one or two people who have...ever. Even now at college. Frankly, given the fact that quite a few of the locks can be easily defeated in under a minute, the peace of mind for me is nonexistent. My dorm is as secure as I could hope for. That is the only place I ever leave it unattended.
 

WildCowboy

Administrator/Editor
Staff member
Jan 20, 2005
18,490
2,991
Rather disappointing that this isn't included. My PowerBook spends probably 80% of its time cabled up by its security slot on my desk at work. With 1000 people in the building, any of whom could walk right up to my desk at any point (not to mention that we have had a few thefts), I'm paranoid about keeping my laptops locked down.

An Apple rep and I talked at MWSF about this and the idea of being able to take it anywhere, but I really don't want to have to take it to the bathroom with me. I might try to slide it into the seat cover dispenser for a moment and lose it in there.
 

Mr. Zorg

macrumors regular
Sep 5, 2007
166
0
Ooh, ooh. New business opportunity, I claim dibs. Send me your MacBook Air and for a mere $25 + shipping I'll add a lock slot for you. :)
 

anirban

macrumors 6502a
Jan 9, 2007
689
0
Houston, TX
Everyone who owns a MBP/MB in my college uses the security slot to lock their laptops down in the dorms. I would consider students to be careless if they did not do so...
 

zync

macrumors 68000
Sep 8, 2003
1,805
24
Tampa, FL
Everyone who owns a MBP/MB in my college uses the security slot to lock their laptops down in the dorms. I would consider students to be careless if they did not do so...

Really? I would consider a new school. If you have to chain something down where you live, you shouldn't be living there. :D
 

DMann

macrumors 601
Jan 13, 2002
4,001
0
10023
thin and light

It's so thin and light, you can just take it with you. Tuck it in your pants or something.

I'm still waiting for the security slot for my iPhone.................. I'm really uneasy about leaving it on the table while going to a pay phone to make a call.
 

zync

macrumors 68000
Sep 8, 2003
1,805
24
Tampa, FL
TAKE THAT AT&T!! :p

If you lived anywhere in my state, you'd be pretty well off with AT&T these days. Unless, of course, you're in my office. There's a close tower in that area that is CDMA and the building is brick. Right outside it's wonderful. Don't they sell repeaters that you can put on external surfaces to get signals inside? That's my sole problem with AT&T. It wouldn't suck if it didn't drain the battery when I forget to turn my phone off. Of course, I have my own phone at my desk, so it's not a huge issue—I just have to remember the numbers if I need to call anyone, or turn my phone back on.

It does, however, work quite well in the front half of the office, where there are more windows. Above my section, is a movie theater. I'm about 30'-40' in from any angle. It's a veritable Faraday cage.
 

ilflyya

macrumors member
Oct 27, 2007
37
0
Indiana
Exactly

Ok this is the first time I've even heard anyone say that they even require the slot, we must have grown up in very different places. Far as I knew that slot was just for stores that'd have machines on display, or similar. (which makes me think - how WILL these be displayed if there's no slot? Behind glass?)

Something as valuable as a Mac would never leave my sight in a public place, anyway...

I had a guy who worked for me get his notebook stolen when he got up from his desk and run to the bathroom. Funny thing was, he thought I should be the one responsible for getting it back for him. Thought if he had one of those chain things it would have helped, but I used to chain my bike up too. I don't anymore because it got stolen...while it was chained!
 

DMann

macrumors 601
Jan 13, 2002
4,001
0
10023
un-chained melody

I share an office with a colleague and when I bring my mac to the office, it goes with me when I leave, or I put it in my apt close by. (I work at a universtiy). I never let it leave my sight. That's just me though. Had a guy who worked for me get his notebook stolen when he got up from his desk and run to the bathroom. Funny thing was, he thought I should be the one responsible for getting it back for him. Thought if he had one of those chain things it would have helped, but I used to chain my bike up too. I don't anymore because it got stolen...while it was chained!

And there lies the point..... if someone wants your air enough, they'll snap the cable before you can blink twice......... take it with you, or file it away in the file cabinet..... most of them have a lock.
 

Swagfndr

macrumors newbie
Nov 16, 2007
20
0
I travel 200+ days per year and I lock mine up in the hotel when ever I can't take it with me to the show site. I also have a place to lock it to my workbox under the stage so that if I run to catering or the head I don't have to take it with me. Most of the people I work with are honest, but it only take one. I know that they can be easily defeated, but they will keep the semi-honest people honest, but a true thief will get what they want no matter what. But I at least don't want to make it easy for them.

As a side note, at most shows there are probably 5-10 computers in the underworld (under the stage during the show) and I would say that 80%+ are macs.
 

ryanw

macrumors 6502
Oct 21, 2003
307
0
I don't mean to be argumentative, but would you really leave your computer unattended in a coffee shop, lock or no lock, while you went to the toilet?

I certainly wouldn't...

Steve.

Yikes ... this is a real problem!

Leaving your laptop unattended in a coffee shop isn't the problem. The problem is in corporate america (the rich man or woman who this "thin" laptop is appealing to) are required to lock their laptops up at their desks these days. I have PERSONALLY seen a laptop walk from my desk in a large fortune 500 company. Be it people from the mail room, or cleaning crew, who knows, but people do steal things from offices regularly. I would think your machine is potentially safer being unattended at a coffee shop than a large company where turn over for "lesser paid jobs" is higher... not really, but you get my point.
 

brooker

macrumors regular
Apr 4, 2007
140
0
PacNW
don't use it, but do care

I don't lock my laptop down when i leave it. this happens fairly often, as i regularly work from the public library, and need to get up from the table to use the restroom, or make a phone call. Rather than locking it, i awkwardly arange my belongings around it: throw my fleece coat over it, leave an empty cup right in the middle of the keyboard, or buckle my bag strap around hte whole table, with my powerbook closed underneath the strap. My theory is that if there is something a little odd about it (rather than it looking like someone just got up) then a potential thief will pass it by. It's worked so far (knock wood).

That said, i am surprised that the MBA doesn't include it. I agree with the above poster: something designed to be so portable and good looking should have a way the owner can decide when it exercises those attributes. I guess you could use a solution akin to what i do, and make it ugly (temporarily?).

Actually, come to think of it, I take it back. No special security slot needed! There are USB solutions.

Since the MBA has that one mighty usb port, why not overload it with one more duty?

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-F5L013-Laptop-Security-Alarm/dp/B000RPVHDC

Sure, you can't walk away while burning downloaded movies onto your external drive, but generally speaking, this should suffice for all those "deal-breaker" people out there. price is comprable to a lot of cable solutions, but it's a lot more flexible (npi).

Maybe this is why Apple didn't bother adding a slot?
 

quantumbits

macrumors member
Jan 15, 2008
58
0
That's a pretty short-sighted omission. I use my cable all of the time. Is it fool proof? No. However, it only needs to be more secure than the next laptop.

But hey, we've already collectively (and correctly) identified the thing as a fashion accessory/appliance instead of a laptop. A security slot is SO yesterday...you know, like optical media, user replaceable batteries and memory slots. :rolleyes:
 

Iroganai

macrumors regular
Oct 18, 2003
201
0
I have PERSONALLY seen a laptop walk from my desk in a large fortune 500 company. Be it people from the mail room, or cleaning crew, who knows, but people do steal things from offices regularly. I would think your machine is potentially safer being unattended at a coffee shop than a large company where turn over for "lesser paid jobs" is higher... not really, but you get my point.
Is it that bad ? I recently moved in to the States but I might have been lucky not to have mine stolen. (I'm not working in a large fortune 500 company though, unfortunately :p ) Maybe I should consider chaining it.
 

DMann

macrumors 601
Jan 13, 2002
4,001
0
10023
User Replaceable Batteries

That's a pretty short-sighted omission. I use my cable all of the time. Is it fool proof? No. However, it only needs to be more secure than the next laptop.

But hey, we've already collectively (and correctly) identified the thing as a fashion accessory/appliance instead of a laptop. A security slot is SO yesterday...you know, like optical media, user replaceable batteries and memory slots. :rolleyes:

the battery in the air is user replaceable - takes a phillips head to do so. No one seems to mind that the iPhone has no security slot. The air is light enough to carry in a small case and keep with you at all times - this is probably the reason why Apple opted not to include one. Besides - including one would have taken business away from third party companies who install such features.
 
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