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Old Sep 15, 2013 | 7:24 am
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Physically securing a tablet

What methods are available for physically securing a tablet against theft?

I plan on taking my tablet with me on vacation for the first time, and while I typically use a lock cable on my laptop, there is no port on a tablet for such a cable. The device will most likely fit in the wall safe of the room where I'm staying, but if it doesn't, I'd like to have a backup plan beyond "hide it in luggage/under clothes" or "take it with you" or "leave it at the front desk".

Are there locking cases that I could secure to a fixture in the room? Some preliminary Google searching has not turned anything up.
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Old Sep 15, 2013 | 7:46 am
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Thinking out of the box, what about repurposing the large version of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO5biURbXoQ
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Old Sep 15, 2013 | 8:20 am
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Originally Posted by WillCAD
What methods are available for physically securing a tablet against theft?

I plan on taking my tablet with me on vacation for the first time, and while I typically use a lock cable on my laptop, there is no port on a tablet for such a cable. The device will most likely fit in the wall safe of the room where I'm staying, but if it doesn't, I'd like to have a backup plan beyond "hide it in luggage/under clothes" or "take it with you" or "leave it at the front desk".

Are there locking cases that I could secure to a fixture in the room? Some preliminary Google searching has not turned anything up.
I'd start by virtually securing it. In other words, make sure it's 100% backed up before you go and back it up every time you have a WiFi connection.

Next step would be insurance. Adding it to your homeowner's policy will cost you very little.

Those two measures will greatly reduce the potential loss.
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Old Sep 15, 2013 | 8:36 am
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It will almost certainly fit in your safe. When I was in a little bit shady of a location and was going out to dinner, I slipped my ipad between the mattresses. If they make up the room they might find it there, but I doubt it.
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Old Sep 15, 2013 | 8:46 am
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How about a pacsafe room safe?

Maybe switch to a rooted Nook color for travel which has an 'eye' that could be locked with a cable.


Jim
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Old Sep 15, 2013 | 9:01 am
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There are lots of ipad cases that will do this, I'll wager.
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Old Sep 15, 2013 | 11:21 am
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Originally Posted by WillCAD
What methods are available for physically securing a tablet against theft?

I plan on taking my tablet with me on vacation for the first time, and while I typically use a lock cable on my laptop, there is no port on a tablet for such a cable. The device will most likely fit in the wall safe of the room where I'm staying, but if it doesn't, I'd like to have a backup plan beyond "hide it in luggage/under clothes" or "take it with you" or "leave it at the front desk".

Are there locking cases that I could secure to a fixture in the room? Some preliminary Google searching has not turned anything up.
In the waiting room of my car dealer's service department they have several iPads. Each one is in a locked frame that is secured to the furniture by cable lock.
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Old Sep 15, 2013 | 12:18 pm
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Originally Posted by jimquan
How about a pacsafe room safe?
I bought a pacsafe for similar reasons (travel with 3 iPads these days between my wife, son + mine). Have only had to use it in a hotel once in South Africa when there was no safe, but have used it several times in a rental car on days between hotels in places like Sicily where I wanted a little extra theft protection. Has worked well and easy to travel with.
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Old Sep 15, 2013 | 4:14 pm
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Originally Posted by jimquan
How about a pacsafe room safe?

Maybe switch to a rooted Nook color for travel which has an 'eye' that could be locked with a cable.


Jim
Originally Posted by dbuckho
I bought a pacsafe for similar reasons (travel with 3 iPads these days between my wife, son + mine). Have only had to use it in a hotel once in South Africa when there was no safe, but have used it several times in a rental car on days between hotels in places like Sicily where I wanted a little extra theft protection. Has worked well and easy to travel with.
I like what ive seen of the Pacsafe so far. I may wind up with one. Ti, e to shop around!
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Old Sep 15, 2013 | 5:38 pm
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Hotel safes are really secure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyGhEIbZLUU
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Old Sep 15, 2013 | 8:51 pm
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Originally Posted by WillCAD
What methods are available for physically securing a tablet against theft?

I plan on taking my tablet with me on vacation for the first time, and while I typically use a lock cable on my laptop, there is no port on a tablet for such a cable. The device will most likely fit in the wall safe of the room where I'm staying, but if it doesn't, I'd like to have a backup plan beyond "hide it in luggage/under clothes" or "take it with you" or "leave it at the front desk".

Are there locking cases that I could secure to a fixture in the room? Some preliminary Google searching has not turned anything up.
http://pacsafe.com/pacsafe-c35l-camera-bag-protector

I've never used these bags but I have used some of their other stuff. I'm not too happy with one zipper but otherwise I've liked it.
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Old Sep 17, 2013 | 12:05 am
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Wrap your dirty underwear around it.
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Old Sep 17, 2013 | 1:47 am
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My former employer provided everyone with one of these, they were $40 at Costco. Just chain it to something immovable.

http://www.sentrysafe.com/Products/4..._Security_Safe
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Old Sep 17, 2013 | 6:15 am
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Originally Posted by Error 601
My former employer provided everyone with one of these, they were $40 at Costco. Just chain it to something immovable.

http://www.sentrysafe.com/Products/4..._Security_Safe
Too heavy and bulky for travel.

I think I'm going to wind up with a Pacsafe.
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Old Sep 17, 2013 | 6:28 am
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Until technology can fill the gap, security is probably going to need some weight. The problem that we face with all these measures is that they really only protect you against the crooked hotel employee who doesn't leave overt evidence of theft. All of these devices can be defeated with a pair of wire cutters or scissors. Anyone who has any prowess at picking a lock can also commit the theft with little or no crumbs.

It is like the problem I face with a bike lock. I would like to carry a cable lock rather than a UBar because of weight, but there is no such thing as a secure cable lock and even a UBar can't hold its own against a Ryobi angle grinder or a a 48inch pair of collapsable bolt cutters which easily collapses into a bike backpack.

I will also toss this product out there with the suggestion that you immediately use a different padlock:

http://www.milockie.com/order.php
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