[amazing]

Just curious: anybody else bothered by the absence of a Kensington cable lock slot on the MacBook Air? Seems like a really, really big omission, given how drool-worthy it is.

The target market is mobile professionals, right? How about protecting it while you're on the road?

Students might spring for this as well, which makes the lack of a security cable lock slot even more troubling.

[ibook_steve]

I was actually thinking about this this morning and was going to confirm at my local Apple store this evening. This is a huge oversight for such a light-weight (read: easy to steal) computer. Kensington locks used to have an option for a "stick-on" connection, but I doubt they have that anymore and who would want to stick something ugly onto the Air. Hopefully there will be a solution soon, but I foresee stories of stolen MBAs cropping up in the future.

Steve

[msuper69]

Looks like the security slot might be on the right side in the middle.



But I wonder why Apple hasn't mentioned it.

[chipchen]

hmm... now that you mention it... I don't know. had I seen this thread yesterday, I would have checked today while I was looking at it. Yea.. I don't think there is... I personally wouldn't miss this omission... but since this opens the door for a third party product.. I'm sure someone will come up with something...

[ibook_steve]

It does look like the slot is here:

Apple - MacBook Air - Features

In any case, the Apple store this evening said they wouldn't have any Airs in for a week, so I could not confirm. Somebody here must have gone to MacWorld and can give us an answer.

Steve

[amazing]

Ah, thanks everyone! I am vastly relieved!

[MacosNerd]

I wonder how many people use that security slot?

I have in the past on my MBP and my work laptop. Regarding my work laptop, it really wouldn't stop anyone who wanted the computer since the case was plastic. I'm sure one good yank and the would be thief could rip out the security chord and be off with the laptop.

I still use it on my MBP though

[k squared]

I used to use the lock when I was school...and was the only one. Thinking about it, I haven't seen anyone using a lock in years.

[k squared]

Originally Posted by msuper69 

Looks like the security slot might be on the right side in the middle.



But I wonder why Apple hasn't mentioned it.

Looks like a screw to me.

[msuper69]

Originally Posted by k squared 

Looks like a screw to me.

THIS is the slot I was referring to. The right side of the MacBook Air, not the right side of the picture.

[butterfly0fdoom]

No, that's a screw, not a slot. Just look at pictures people have taken of the bottom.

[Wiskedjak]

Couldnt you just put the Air in your pocket?

[mduell]

Those security slots and the locks that go in them are pretty worthless.

[amazing]

I agree that the security slot is only a mild deterrent, but every little bit helps?

Powerpage has picked up on the lack of a security slot, with a very different picture than the one linked to above, showing MBA on top of MBP, no slot. Which is correct?

O'Grady's PowerPage - Your Mobile Technology Destination

[Simon]

Of course they make sense. They prevent somebody from just snatching your notebook when passing by. Obviously if someone is determined, has the necessary tools and the time, he will always manage to steel it. No lock can prevent that. But the Kensington lock makes sure you don't create a simple opportunity. We use quite a lot here at work and sure enough the only notebooks that disappeared in the last years were the ones that weren't locked.

[DizzyRose]

I think you're just meant to hide it in a manila envelope.

[Cadaver]

Is there any point on a MBA? I mean, one slight tug and it'll pull right out given how thin the aluminum skin is on the thing.

[malone]

The one pointed to in the posted image looks like a speaker.

[amazing]

Well, any security slot would be reinforced so that the security cable can't just be yanked out. That's how it's engineered, or so you'd hope.

Any laptop that shows damage around the security slot is undoubtedly stolen, and therefore unsaleable.

[Simon]

Again, the lock slot is there to prevent somebody from just taking the notebook from the table as if it were his own.

Obviously, repeatedly yanking with force, using bolt cutters, blowtorches, explosives, etc. will always work. No lock in the world is going to change that. Notebook locks are all about reducing 'opportunity' and increasing the required effort.

If you are offered a notebook with a damaged lock slot you can consider it stolen. And as the previous poster mentioned that also makes it a lot more difficult to sell (especially at a good price).

[MacosNerd]

Originally Posted by Cadaver 

Is there any point on a MBA? I mean, one slight tug and it'll pull right out given how thin the aluminum skin is on the thing.

No different then on any other laptop, Mac or PC.

[amazing]

My real frustration here is trying to get accurate info about the MBA. People are already pre-ordering these and yet you can't find very many details. One picture shows what appears to be a security slot, the next picture shows no slot. You go to Apple's website and technical details are pretty sparse.

Par for the course, I know, but very frustrating.

[analogika]

Originally Posted by MacosNerd 

I wonder how many people use that security slot?

I have in the past on my MBP and my work laptop. Regarding my work laptop, it really wouldn't stop anyone who wanted the computer since the case was plastic. I'm sure one good yank and the would be thief could rip out the security chord and be off with the laptop.

Every laptop I've seen on display in stores has a lock on it.

And the only thief that would simply yank out the security cord would be one who's after the data, and not the book.

[ibook_steve]

I was hoping someone who went to MacWorld could chime in on this. Obviously, Apple secured the MBAs down at their booth somehow, so there must be a way, unless it's with the stick-on electronic security cables like they use at the Apple store on iPods.

Steve

[Simon]

On the pictures I saw there was only a Magsafe cable. I was amazed to see the MBAs weren't locked.

[amazing]

'Course there's always the problem as to whether those were shipping models? I just saw some unboxing photos this morning from some sort of expo in Japan, and indeed there didn't seem to be a security slot on the right side....

Guess we'll have to wait until the first shipping reviews come in. Buyer beware?

[amazing]

I think it's now official: there is no Kensington cable security slot on the MBA.

MacBook Air: External ports

I downloaded the users guide which doesn't list a slot, either. Is this the first Apple laptop ever to omit the security slot? Even my PB 5300 had a security slot!

[OreoCookie]

I didn't specifically look for it, but I remember that the demo unit in a local Mac store had a weird Kensington lock, I didn't check it out in detail, but it looked like a metal plate had been bolted onto the AirBook and then a Kensington lock was fitted to the metal plate.

[Wiskedjak]

Kensington does offer some glue-on and bolt-on solutions.

[packet of krisps]

Heh, I wouldn't if i had an $1800 machine as good looking as the air.

[Andy8]

I just pick up my MBA and take it with me when walking around the office, it is light enough to do so.

[bwitten]

I had to secure a MacBook Air, and came up with this stainless steel device.
I had a number of people say they wanted one and ask me to make more, so I did… and am selling them here.
http://stores.ebay.com/Turn-Around-T...es?refid=store

Hope this helps - Enjoy!

[Wiskedjak]

Originally Posted by bwitten 

I had to secure a MacBook Air, and came up with this stainless steel device.
I had a number of people say they wanted one and ask me to make more, so I did… and am selling them here.
http://stores.ebay.com/Turn-Around-T...es?refid=store

Hope this helps - Enjoy!

Nice job! I would recommend that you modify the device so that the lock doesn't obscure the screen. Perhaps flipping it around so that the lock is behind the screen instead of in front.

[frdmfghtr]

If you made it a little narrower in the shank, you could put a 90-degree bend in it and move the lock out of the field of view as well.

[jogi]

Isn't that a bit dangerous in breaking your display/loosening the hinge or scratching the casing?