Ways to prevent the MBA from being stolen

[MacBook08]

Thanks for the responses everyone.

I am a Time Machine user so I'll definitely continue using it with the Air.

A firmware password seems like a decent idea for preventing data theft.

I think the best option would be this locking case that I posted earlier: http://www.ideastreamproducts.com/briefcases_backpacks/laptop_cases/VZ00108. It's surprisingly inexpensive and according to one of the company's reps, it should fit, even though the site lists the width of the interior as 11 3/4 inch (the width of the Air is 11.8 inch).

Here's an image of the case:

I'll update this thread as soon as I test it out myself.

 

[foiden]

Best way to prevent your Macbook air from being stolen? Find a way to put it in a big thick case, when closed, that reads e-Machines all over it. Nobody in their right mind would imagine getting a profit or worth stealing one of those!

On the other hand, if you have to leave it in the room somewhere, it's best to encase it in something where nobody can even tell that there's a Macbook air there.

Remember, it's an Air. Hold it sideways and it almost disappears. The thing is smaller than some small stacks of paper. Can practically hide in a bookcase sandwiched between book. Hiding places (portfolios) are everywhere. You don't see people stealing someone's homework very often.

 

[Pete A]

I agree with foiden. Hide it.

Years ago, I bought my first PowerBook and a Kensington lock to put in its little hole. I got home, locked it to my desk, stared at it, and thought: Dang, the next crack addict who breaks into my apartment will just yank that little tongue out of the little hole and not care about the cosmetic damage. Addicts sell stolen laptops for $50, according to a cop who interviewed me after I chased one down the alley, causing him to drop my Windows laptop and make it even uglier.

So I returned the Kensington lock to the store, and simply hid the PowerBook each time I left my apartment. I slipped it under the rumpled covers of my bed. Make sure your sheets are dirty and even crack addicts will look elsewhere.

Seriously, the MBA is even easier to hide. You could slip it in your dirty-laundry hamper... in a drawer under your undies (hopefully clean)... in something hanging in your closet. Get creative.

Under the mattress probably isn't good, because that's where people hide guns.

 

[BeyondtheTech]

I just checked out the Hidden page, and they're giving free licenses until January 2011!

Go grab a copy while it's free! http://www.hiddenapp.com

 

[tom1971]

I found this and ordered a bracket for my MBA.
Hopefully they come up with something for the new MBA as well...

 

[patricia b]

I agree with foiden. Hide it.

Years ago, I bought my first PowerBook and a Kensington lock to put in its little hole. I got home, locked it to my desk, stared at it, and thought: Dang, the next crack addict who breaks into my apartment will just yank that little tongue out of the little hole and not care about the cosmetic damage. Addicts sell stolen laptops for $50, according to a cop who interviewed me after I chased one down the alley, causing him to drop my Windows laptop and make it even uglier.

So I returned the Kensington lock to the store, and simply hid the PowerBook each time I left my apartment. I slipped it under the rumpled covers of my bed. Make sure your sheets are dirty and even crack addicts will look elsewhere.

Seriously, the MBA is even easier to hide. You could slip it in your dirty-laundry hamper... in a drawer under your undies (hopefully clean)... in something hanging in your closet. Get creative.

Under the mattress probably isn't good, because that's where people hide guns.

That's why I love my cheap case. In my shoulderbag or purse it doesn't call attention to itself at all. Who would expect a laptop in there? LOL

Oh, and in case you can't tell, it's leather. Got it from amazon for sixteen bucks.

 

[AppliedMicro]

I did a decent search around the site, and found that:
The only way of bypassing a firmware password is by changing the memory modules.

This is true for Mac with replaceable memory modules.
You can reset a MacBook Air's Firmware Password without entering it.
And it doesn't involve resoldering RAM chips on the logic board.

I'd bet you can find the how-to somewhere out there on the 'web.

 

[Pete A]

Oh, and in case you can't tell, it's leather.

Can people tell when they see the real thing rather than a photo? Paper would be even cheaper and less suspicious.

Might carry mine in a trash bag.

 

[patricia b]

Can people tell when they see the real thing rather than a photo? Paper would be even cheaper and less suspicious.

Might carry mine in a trash bag.

LOL! No, they never guess what's inside. I think they might think it's a pretentious "manila" folder with papers inside.

When more and more computers get this thin it might be more obvious, but now, people just don't think it could possibly be a laptop inside. In fact, when I pulled it out of the wrapping I wondered if the laptop would really fit or would it be crammed and obvious from the outline/edges that something solid and laptop-shaped was inside. It does fit and there are no outlines/edges.