As an experienced traveler who doesn't log quite the miles to be a true "road warrior" I am at a bit of a loss about how to think about security for my new laptop which I travel with frequently. I have talked to people who just leave them set up in their rooms but also just heard a report at a meeting I am attending now that one of our members got her laptop stolen.

I am finding it cumbersome to break down my computer everytime I go out, but am hesitant to do anything else. Advise any of you road warriors?? (I don't own a lock for the computer and don't see anyplace on I could put one on this very small Dell).

I certainly wouldn't leave one in a meeting room unattended, but even a guest room, I'm reluctant to leave anything of value out, ever--doesn't matter how nice the hotel. 99% of the time you are fine...it's the remaining 1% (if that high) you want to avoid. Isn't breaking it down just a matter of closing the top--it is with our son's Dell anyway. Stick it in your suitcase, and lock it up.

I always lock my laptop up in my suitcase when traveling, but if you have a Dell, they sell nifty locking cables for them. Your co's IT folks might be able to provide you with one. All Dell laptops that I know of (including my fairly teeny Inspiron) have a little oblong hole on the side that the locks fit into. It's attached to a long cable that you can loop through anything that's non-removable (bolted desk, bed frame, etc.). If someone's determined to get your computer, I'm sure they could cut the cable, but it will prevent the casual thief from walking off with it. Good luck!

I will look for the place to put a lock (this is a very small, all-the-drives-are-external latitude). Of course it is true that one just closes it to put it away, but it means reconnecting the power, high speed line, mouse and re-booting it. I would love to be able to run back to my room inbetween sessions to check email etc. so I should look into a lock. (BTW, the woman who had the laptop stolen at this meeting, had it in her room, not a meeting room.)

Just keep it out of sight in your room, put it in your suitcase and don't use a traditional laptop bag. Forget about "locking" anything up. You're really kidding yourself if you think those tiny locks will prevent a professional thief from taking it away. Above all else, leave the laptop at home if you can or purchase a used, POS laptop from ebay ($200). No pro thief will want to steal it!