Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

No lock slot in new MBA

ShiftClick

ShiftClick

macrumors regular
Original poster
May 9, 2010
120
1
Los Angeles
Granted I have no clue if the previous generation MBAs had a lock slot, but I've noticed the new ones don't seem to have a lock slot any where on them, is this true ? or is it well hidden that it doesn't show up on all the pics I've seen. I'm specifically talking about the 13" air, thanks
 
ShiftClick said:
Granted I have no clue if the previous generation MBAs had a lock slot, but I've noticed the new ones don't seem to have a lock slot any where on them, is this true ? or is it well hidden that it doesn't show up on all the pics I've seen. I'm specifically talking about the 13" air, thanks
Click to expand...

It's on the underside of the side with the power plug jack. look closely towards the middle on the underside.

pic
 

Attachments

  • Screen shot 2010-10-21 at 11.58.17 AM.png
    Screen shot 2010-10-21 at 11.58.17 AM.png
    95.4 KB · Views: 721
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows CE; IEMobile 8.12; MSIEMobile6.0) Sprint T7380)

Now that MB Airs are going to sell like hotcakes, some enterprising 3rd party accessory maker can devise some sort of locking cable for it, perhaps that wraps around the closed laptop....

... perhaps it could be done, using the cable mesh buried in that brand of secure backpack (can't recall name) that I saw at a sporting goods store in NY?

These are the most at risk of being stolen, of all Macs. So they leave out the lock slot. Go figure.
 
Resist said:
How and where does the average Macbook owner use one? It's so easy to cut the cable, I just don't get the point.
Click to expand...

I keep my mbp locked up on my desk at work all day. I work in a building with lots of different "companies" and we all have guests who come in this building. I'm pretty average user and there is no way I would leave it unsecured and it simply is not practical to close up my laptop and bring it with me every time I need to leave my office.

I would love to see someone try and cut the cable "easily" bolt cutters are about the only thing that will cut through the cable, otherwise a would be thief would have to mangle the case pretty bad to get the lock off the laptop. Kensington cables are great prevention, and everyone in our building uses one.

I really wish I could use an MBA, but no lock slot is deal killer for me. And I appreciate the people who responded to my question with informed replies. To those who just want to boo hoo my post and be negative over my needs go talk to the back light keyboard people.
 
The majority of Macbook owners, aren't business users. So I stand by my statement that the average user has no need for the lock slot. And again, it doesn't take much effort to cut the cable. Pull leatherman tool out of pocket, cut cable, walk off with Macbook. Easy! Kensington cables are a joke. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUKP8h3OSfw
 
Resist said:
The majority of Macbook owners, aren't business users. So I stand by my statement that the average user has no need for the lock slot. And again, it doesn't take much effort to cut the cable. Pull leatherman tool out of pocket, cut cable, walk off with Macbook. Easy! Kensington cables are a joke. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUKP8h3OSfw
Click to expand...

That doesn't matter, my company requires lock slots, thats why we denied our Executives from having Airs, and it looks like we still will. The lock slot is to keep a person from just walking by and grabbing it, if a person has to stop at a desk for 2min to cut a cable then it's a lot easier to catch them in the act, also that cut wasn't exactly silent.

Bike locks aren't that hard to get around either but you dont see bikers leaving their bikes unlocked all over the city. Or the lock on your car or house door, easy to pick but I bet you still use them.
 
altecXP said:
The lock slot is to keep a person from just walking by and grabbing it, if a person has to stop at a desk for 5min to cut a cable then its a lot easier to catch them in the act.
Click to expand...
First off, it only takes 5 seconds to cut the cable and you would never know I did it. Secondly, seems to me it would be better to put the computer inside a desk, instead of leaving it on top. Out of sight, out of mind.

But since the Macbook Air is so small and light, I'd think it would be easier to carry when leaving a desk. It's certainly lighter than a stack of folders. But work rules are rules, I guess.
 
Resist said:
The majority of Macbook owners, aren't business users. So I stand by my statement that the average user has no need for the lock slot. And again, it doesn't take much effort to cut the cable. Pull leatherman tool out of pocket, cut cable, walk off with Macbook. Easy! Kensington cables are a joke. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUKP8h3OSfw
Click to expand...

In that case, most car alarms are also a joke. No one gives a d*mn every time one goes off. But that's beside the point, as other commenters pointed out, the idea is to discourage a potential thief to steal.

Anyway, to the OP, considering MacBook Air is so small and lightweight, it might make a difference if you bring it around with you (just like an iPad, I don't think one will leave it on a desk unattended at work). However, if the company does require the lock cable, the you're out of luck.
 
re2st said:
In that case, most car alarms are also a joke. No one gives a d*mn every time one goes off.
Click to expand...
Not even the same comparison. True people usually ignore doing anything about a car alarm, but they still look towards the car when hearing it.

The correct comparison would be a steering wheel lock, which is also a joke. An educated criminal can cut it off in less than a minute.

But true the company rule should be followed, even if their reasoning makes no sense.
 
What missed in the discussion of laptop locks is the realization that (a) you'll never prevent a determined thief from defeating the security lock, and (b) if you deter the casual / opportunistic thief then you've achieved your purpose.

So yes, Resist, you're perfectly correct. Even a well built cable lock is easily and quickly defeated by the knowledgeable and prepared thief. If he or she is determined to take your laptop, it's gone. The very best solution is to take the laptop with you or lock it in a desk drawer.

Since that's not realistic in an office (or dorm) environment every time you step away from your desk, then the next best thing is create a deterrent to the majority of potential thieves who are likely neither knowledgeable or prepared. Thus using a cable is better than no cable; not necessarily because it creates a significant amount of additional security, but because it serves as a deterrent to the majority of potential thieves.
 
I gotta say, all I was doing with this post was to try and get confirmation of a lock slot or lack there of. I'm not here bemoaning the mba as a piece of junk cause it doesn't have a lock slot. It doesn't have one, I won't be buying one. Its not feasible to carry around laptop everytime I need to leave my desk and I don't have drawers in my desk to lock it into when I leave nor would that be pratical in my situation. Its a bummer for me but I can wait til they update MBPs to no superdrive, flash memory and a lighter laptop which I feel is inevitable.
 
just put the MBA in a backpack when you have to leave and take the backpack with you. My trusty backpack from High School has served me great in my work where I have to keep my MBP near me when I'm out.
 
Resist said:
The majority of Macbook owners, aren't business users. So I stand by my statement that the average user has no need for the lock slot. And again, it doesn't take much effort to cut the cable. Pull leatherman tool out of pocket, cut cable, walk off with Macbook. Easy! Kensington cables are a joke. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUKP8h3OSfw
Click to expand...

You don't have to be Business users to need a lock. Students who need to take a short bathroom break at the library needs one too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back