<p>How many of you lock away your laptops while at school? I just bought a new one and am pretty concerned about this as my college is in NYC. I definitely do not want it stolen.</p>
<p>There have been many threads with info about locks(and how easy they are to remove) but one thing that hasn't been mentioned is electronic insurance... I know that on my parents policy they have a rider for like $18 a year that covers up to $10,000 with only $100 deductible. It covers theft, loss, accidental damage, etc and to use it, all you do is call up and provide your original receipt and they give you the money. I know, it sounds like scam, but its just like any other insurance. </p>
<p>I guess I feel like if someone really wants your computer, they're going to get it... regardless of a lock. </p>
<p>... just another idea.</p>
<p>a sticker with your name on it or your ingraved name would pry be better then a lock. as long as you dont leave your computer you should be okay and you have a trusted roomate you should be fine.</p>
<p>Get a locking file cabinet and put it in there? </p>
<p>I've been thinking about this but I haven't figured out a solution yet.</p>
<p>does anyone know the internet service provided by colleges, is it t1,t2...possiblely fiber optics. also i have a wireless 802.11g lan card in my comptuer, will this be ok or do i need a 802.11g/b. i know the g/b describes the transfer rate(with b being slower) but will my g be good enough for my schools internet.</p>
<p>Isn't 802.11g backwards compatible with 802.11b?</p>
<p>Personally, I'm excited about 802.11n (10 times faster than 802.11g, which is itself five times faster than 802.11b). <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3561808.stm%5B/url%5D">http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3561808.stm</a> Unfortunately, it won't be standardized until late 2006.</p>
<p>I think matthew is right about g being beckwards compatible.</p>
<p>The 802.11 standards are "B", "A" and "G". Without getting into transfer rates and working distances within a wireless network, the "G" standard is backwards compatible with "B". If you have a wireless "G" card in your laptop, it is compatible with a "B" wireless network. "B" is the most common wireless network for most companies and schools.</p>
<p>Better laptops should come with a "B"/"G" wireless card. While not a problem, cheaper laptop lines (especially from Dell) have only a "B" card to save a few bucks. </p>
<p>There is a new Wi-Max standard ("N") coming down the pike. I don't expect it to have much traction with schools for quite some time. "G" has been around for a number of years and hasn't found much of an audience.</p>
<p>Note: this is a thread about laptop locks... As I mentioned in an earlier thread on laptop locks, have your laptop covered under your parent's homeower's policy. Take a digital photo of your system and write down your serial numbers. See if your parent's coverage is "replacement plus". Say your laptop cost $1000 and is over a year old and may no longer be in production or has been discontinuted (technology is cruel). Does your parent's policy cover to $1000 less a deductible; cover only a depreciated price at the time of the loss or "cost plus" (current market price for a new or comparable unit). It pays to know...</p>