<p>Are they necessary? Thanks.</p>
<p>I would say no, but a good idea. Doesn't hurt to be extra safe. There were many occasions when I (and many other people I know) left their rooms for class or even for the weekend - unlocked - and came back to find everything there. However, I also know of someone who left their laptop unattended for an hour or so and found it stolen. Therefore, laptop theft isn't rampant, so if you're willing to take your chances (and lock your door when you leave), you should be fine without a lock.</p>
<p>well, if i had to say yes or no, i'd say yes. simply b/c i know of at least 4 people personally that have had their's stolen out of their room. </p>
<p>stanford's pretty chill and safe, but i had a lock and it's better to take 3 more seconds out of your life to lock it than risk losing your laptop, which for me means ALL my music and work and not mention more than a grand. you never know when someone off campus will come and decided to randomly go through dorms, which is A LOT easier than people realize. seriously, if i become homeless in the near future, i'm coming to stanford and stealing everyones laptop and valuable out of their room. now this doesn't happen to often, which is why people are so comfortable w/ leaving stuff in their open rooms and study rooms, etc. but i certainly hate taking the chance.</p>
<p>so yes, get a lock.</p>
<p>to comment on celestials post,
sometimes YOU may lock your door, but your roomate doesn't, even if you've both agreed to do so. not out of spite or not caring, but maybe they go to the bathroom or downstairs for a few minutes and get help up or something. i only say this b/c this happens all the time. i found myself leaving my door open just b/c i felt i'd be back shortly. and this is how my friends laptop got stolen. left for like 2 minutes and then it was gone.</p>
<p>Thanks. I'm definitely getting one now.</p>
<p>^good decision in my opinion. i didn't mean to scare you or anything. stanford really is pretty safe, safer than most campuses. but there's always that chance. and since it's so safe, people react accordingly and trust others a lot more than usual. so like i said, if i become homeless, stanford here i come. haha.</p>
<p>Where should I look to buy a good, inexpensive lock for an IBM T41?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>not the bookstore. just ut a cheap one off of ebay or amazon, or maybe target, walmart, circuit city, best buy...etc</p>