HP LOCK

In my previous post, I wrote about SAFElink^TM, the new anti-theft service being offered by PlumChoice. This service takes care of your data in case of theft or loss, doing so via a software-based and cloud-based system.

Now let’s go back to more immediate security issues. When I say immediate, I don’t mean to discount what services like SAFElink^TM can do for laptop users. I am only thinking about how I go to a coffee shop practically every day to work for a couple of hours. For many people, using their laptops in public places is also a common occurrence. This is really the trend these days, and I don’t see that changing any time soon.

For those of you who spend considerably long periods at coffee shops, you know very well that at some point, you have to go to the ladies’ or men’s room. Either you pack up all your stuff and take it with you – risking the loss of the table to some other customer – or you leave your laptop at the table secured by a laptop cable lock.

These locks have gained popularity simply because they offer an effective solution. I have to admit, though, that I have never used one of these locks. Maybe I am just too paranoid. And maybe I am right!

Just recently, the security – or lack of it – of cable locks have been examined. In a post by Marc Weber Tobias¹, it was shown that one of the most popular laptop cable locks takes only seconds to crack. Hewlett Packard’s laptop locks – models BV411AA and BV411UT – apparently do not pose much of a challenge to the dedicated (or maybe even half-hearted) thief. Tobias shares that all he needed was a screwdriver to get a lock open. Watch and see.

There is the possibility that thieves may immediately be turned off once they see that a laptop has the lock connected. They probably would not even bother to sit there and fiddle with the lock with a screwdriver, true. But the issue is that people are buying these locks with the idea that they provide absolute security. If you are one of those, you might want to reevaluate and avoid leaving your laptops even with the locks on.

As for me, I really am too paranoid to leave a relatively costly machine alone in a public place – laptop lock or not. Do you use laptop cable locks? How confident are you in using them?

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We may all have different preferences when it comes to laptop brands, models, and specifications, but I am pretty sure that we can agree on one thing – not having a device so hot that one could fry an egg on it. While most laptop manufacturers work hard at making sure that their devices do not overheat, there certainly are instances when a HOT laptop cannot be avoided. I only need to think of playing The Sims 3, and my laptop would start smoking. Then there’s converting movie files. There are so many things that one can do to make that temperature monitor skyrocket, and one has to be careful not to hurt one’s self!

That’s why laptop stands/coolers have become rather popular, and manufacture Logitech is definitely at the top of their game when it comes to accessories. They recently announced the newest item in their laptop stand/cooler line – the Logitech Cooling Pad N200. Dubbed the “coolest laptop companion around” – no doubt pun intended – I think the N200 has two things going for it.

• One, it has a virtually silent fan. Who wants the steady buzzing noise of a fan when you’re working on a silent laptop? Even on the higher speed (the N200 has two speed settings), the fan doesn’t make much noise. Or at least it’s not supposed to.
• Two, it is energy efficient. As with most other laptop stands/coolers, the N200 is powered via USB. The last thing you want is to have a stand that will suck up all the juice when you’re not connected to the socket. The N200 is supposed to use minimal power, and with the 2-speed setting, you can further control just how much power it consumes.

On the other hand, I am not too convinced about the looks of the N200.

While it does look handy enough, I am not really attracted to the N200. I am not saying it’s ugly – far from that – but it just doesn’t do it for me. Another thing is that the N200 can only accommodate laptops which are up to 16 inches. While my laptop is only 13 inches, I can’t help but think that Logitech could easily have gone to 17 inches. What does a 1-inch difference make?

In any case, the N200 looks like a viable option if you are in the market for a laptop cooling stand. It’s available on a pre-order basis on the Logitech web site for only $29.99.

Having a laptop means mobility, to be sure. However, more and more, having a laptop is not enough. The need to be connected is of paramount importance as well. This is where wireless connectivity comes into the picture. While we could still get lots done on a laptop without the Internet, the convenience of being able to connect while on the go cannot be beaten.

While it is true that more and more, Wi-Fi hotspots are available – especially in developed countries – it is still better not to be dependent on locations that offer Wi-Fi. I guess that is why USB sticks that function as modems are becoming one of the most popular accessories today.

T-Mobile, one of the biggest telecommunications provider in the United States, sees this market and is not hesitating to grab the opportunity. They now have the T-Mobile Rocket 3.0 4G Laptop Stick, which is currently the only way to make use of the company’s newly launched HSPA+ 42 network. The number 42 might mean something else to you¹, but in this case, 42 stands for 42Mbps. This is an astounding figure for mobile broadband connections, but the sad fact is that it seems T-Mobile is yet unable to deliver fully.

Still, the laptop stick does hold some promise. It is a medium-sized stick measuring in at 1.1 x 3.4 x .5 inches. It weighs a mere 1.1 ounce. For those who are particular about looks, the stick has interchangeable faceplates, and you can choose from black, blue, and purple.

You can get the T-Mobile Rocket 3.0 4G Laptop Stick for $99 with a two-year contract. Here are the specs:

• Cellular technology: GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, Other, HSDPA 1.8, HSDPA 3.6, HSPA+ 21, HSPA+ 42
• Bands: 850, 900, 1800, 1900, 2100, 1700
• Mac Compatible

More info on performance at PCMag.

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Tired of having to deal with battery issues? Any laptop owner has battery life as one of the main issues, and we are all limited by technology when it comes to this. There is good news, though, as start up company, Leyden Energy, announced its newest technology.

With their development, the Lithium Ion battery as we know it might just live longer than we are used to. According to the company, they are launching a tweaked version of the Lithium Ion battery, and it will NOT start degrading for three years – at least. That means that users will have access to the full power capacity of the battery for that minimum period.

Think about what this means. When before you would have about one year or so of full charge (if you have a good battery and if you’re lucky, even) before you had to start relying on your power cord to use your laptop continuously, the new battery will allow you to be as mobile as you want to be for three times longer.

Leyden Energy’s patented technology gives a high energy density (225Wh/kg, >400Wh/I) and has more than 1,000 cycles at 60 degrees Celsius. More than having the most out of the battery at high temperatures, this also means that the product is safer for use.

How much is this extended-life battery going to cost us? Leyden Energy has not revealed pricing details yet, but they said that they will be selling the battery via Canadian battery retailer Dr. Battery. One thing seems to be sure – we are expected to pay more than the standard batteries we have access to today. As to when it will reach the other parts of the world, we just have to wait and see.

Mobile phone users, rejoice! The top mobile phone manufacturers have finally agreed to develop a universal standard for phone chargers.

The agreement, which was signed by Nokia, Sony Ericsson and other manufacturers, paves the way for the development of mobile phones that will accept the same standard charging device as early as next year.

This is really a welcome development. Any mobile phone user knows how much of a hassle it is that whenever we upgrade to a new phone, it generally means we’ll have to use a different charger, basically junking the previous charger. These unused chargers eventually find its way to the garbage dump, which helps create more waste. It’s really not an environment friendly strategy and quite wasteful of resources as well.

Under the agreement, an European Union norm or standard will be implemented and new mobile phones will now use a standard micro-USB socket as a way of ensuring utmost compatibility.

Aside from Nokia and SE, other companies that supported the move included Motorola, Apple, LG, NEC, Qualcomm, Research in Motion, Samsung and Texas Instruments.