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General discussion

Laptop Surge Protection and Security

Jul 28, 2004 4:11AM PDT

Can anyone recommend a good (and portable) surge protector for my laptop? Also, what should I look for in a security cable. Is a combo or key lock better, etc.? Do they make them portable enough to carry around?

Discussion is locked

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Re: Laptop Surge Protection and Security
Jul 28, 2004 4:24AM PDT

This is one neat part of a laptop. The wall power unit has about all one needs for this. Radio Shack has some small single outlet unit you could use if you felt it was needed.

Bob

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Re: Laptop Surge Protection and Security
Jul 28, 2004 5:32AM PDT

You mean the AC adaptor is a surge protector as well?

What about cable locks then?

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Re: Laptop Surge Protection and Security
Jul 28, 2004 5:39AM PDT

Just get a name brand power strip and that should protect you fine. You can even get a decent one under $10 if there is a sale or rebate.

Or, as Bob states, they have smaller single or dual jack surge protectors that hang out of the wall outlet (some even screw in with a longer bolt).

If you use a modem, get one with a phone line surge protector outlet as well. If you are using wi-fi with DSL/cable or DSL/cable via wired ethernet you don't need this (you would need a surge protector at the router or a phone line surge protection at the router/modem.

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Re: Laptop Surge Protection and Security
Jul 28, 2004 6:35AM PDT

Ah OK, I thought you were talking about the AC adaptor. Now what about a cable lock, or are they all pretty much the same? A lock is a lock, right?

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Re: Laptop Surge Protection and Security
Jul 28, 2004 7:27AM PDT

You should probably buy one that has a money back guarantee if the product is stolen while properly used or one that a business you know recommends (that locks notebooks at their desks). There are a lot of brands out there for cable locks (Kensington, etc.)

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Re: Laptop Surge Protection and Security
Jul 30, 2004 3:00PM PDT

Do you recommend a key or combo lock? I was thinking it over and I'm concerned with losing a key, but also forgetting a combo.

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Re: Laptop Surge Protection and Security
Jul 30, 2004 4:42PM PDT

that is personal preference but a key is easier to have someone lock and unlock if that is ever an issue (someone else needs to lock or unlock the machine).

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Re: Laptop Surge Protection and Security
Jul 31, 2004 12:07AM PDT

Do all locks have a money back guarantee, cause I've noticed only a few that I looked at say they do?

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Re: Laptop Surge Protection and Security
Jul 31, 2004 6:54AM PDT

The ones that prominently display that on the outer packaging likely have it --the others do not. If it is not prominently displayed it is not benefiting them to spend the extra $ to insure it.

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Re: Laptop Surge Protection and Security
Jul 28, 2004 7:52AM PDT

Yes. In NA, the AC line is all of 110 VAC. Laptop adaptors are mostly what they call open voltage or rated from 90 to 240 (and a bit more) VAC. If you get 240+ VAC on the lines in a 110 VAC house, the lights go off like the bridge of the Enterprise under a Klingon attack.

In short, this is one great feature of laptop power supplies. It would be the rarity to lose one without losing everything else in the house first.

Bob

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Re: Laptop Surge Protection and Security
Jul 28, 2004 11:39AM PDT

By the way, what is the cylindrical shaped thing attached near the end of AC adapter cable? Does it act as a power surge protector? Also, the RJ-11 modem cable that came with my notebook has the cylindrical thing attached.

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That is a "FERRITE BEAD".
Jul 28, 2004 11:51AM PDT

Not a true surge protector.

Bob