Belkin F5L013 USB Laptop Security Alarm

See it at Amazon.com for $7.74

Average Customer Rating
(5.0 out of 5)

Amazon Customer Reviews

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Simple, inexpensive, and effective

I opened a retail Apple Specialist store. I needed a way to secure the MacBook Air on display, as well as the Apple TV. Neither of these devices has a K-slot to physically lock them down, so I was looking at "professional" alarm systems when I stumbled upon this device. I figured for the price I'd give them a try. They pretty much do exactly what they say they will do. They are quite loud, so there will be no doubt if someone trips the alarm. I added my own label to wrap around the end of the USB cable that says "ALARM! Do NOT Disconnect!" to make sure people know what the strange orange cable is.

For the price, you can't go wrong. My other options were significantly more expensive. I'm sure this device has its flaws, but for what I'm using them for they were just what the doctor ordered.

One thing I found interesting is that the "key" that enables/disables the alarm are specific to the alarm they came with, even though they look like simple 3.5mm mini plugs. I can't use the key from one F5L013 to disarm another.

I also needed a way to secure my iPods. I wasn't interested in an adhesive solution and I couldn't find any cost-effective alarm systems. On a whim I tested this device by plugging my iPod's USB cable into a USB coupler (i.e. USB female-to-female gender changer) and then into the F5L013. To my surprise, the alarm worked with every iPod tested except the Shuffle. The only downside is that this device does not charge the iPods. However, I can charge my iPods overnight and they should last the whole day. It would be nice if they came out with a version that had a direct iPod dock connector and/or a version that charged the iPods, but again, for the price this setup can't be beat.

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Good stuff, solid safety

Very basic and easy to use. I use it along with a more traditional laptop lock for an added bonus. You shouldn't expect these things to be fool proof. There are ways around (taking it apart and removing batteries, muffling the sound), but it serves its purpose - as a good deterrent to thieves when you're just a a library of coffee shop. Taking another laptop just sitting there is surely preferred to one tied down with cables running around it.

Alarm is loud and sounds whenever the thing is taken out of the USB slot.

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