Laptop usage 101

[MBELSANTI]

Hi again!

I am leaving in 2 days and would love to bring my new laptop with. I have never had one before, so not sure what I need. I currently use ethernet cable to connect to dsl, however I have built in wireless that I can switch to but don't have router at home.

1) can I use the wireless there or do they have ethernet cable in room? I know it should be free internet for DVC users, right?

2) how do you safeguard your laptop when not in the room? It is 17" so it is quite big so it will not fit into safes. I did see some sort of laptop security cable. Does anyone have experience with those? Where can I buy one at?

Any other tips?

By the way, I will be staying at SSR in studio.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Luvdisney]

All rooms have a cat5 cable for you to hook up your laptop. But I usually bring my own. The cable in the rooms are around 6' long and I like to move around so I bring a 15' to 25' cable with me. I don't know of any rooms that have wireless access, except maybe VB and I believe HHI.

As for security, couple of things you can do, keep the laptop in a case and hide it under the bed or in a closet so it's out of site, buy a laptop lock and lock it to something in the room, hide it in a suitcase. I believe Best Buy sells the laptop cable locks. I don't know maybe I have been lucky, but I have never had an issue with my laptop. I have always left it sitting in the living room area or on the table in open view and I have never had an issue. Maybe I'm to trusting, but so far it has always been left alone.

Have Fun, wish I was going!!

 

[Tara]

I believe Best Buy sells the laptop cable locks. I don't know maybe I have been lucky, but I have never had an issue with my laptop. I have always left it sitting in the living room area or on the table in open view and I have never had an issue. Maybe I'm to trusting, but so far it has always been left alone.

Have Fun, wish I was going!!

I'll second the cable lock suggestion. Best Buy definitely sells these and they are very convenient. When I use one I attach it to the wire shelf in one of the closets and leave the laptop on the shelf. Almost all laptops have a small cable lock socket - it's about 1/3 of an inch long and is rounded on the ends - not an oval but more of a rectangle with rounded corners. My lock is a Kensington and it's very sturdy.

 

[kapeman]

Save yourself some money on the laptop lock and get it at newegg.com, but definitely get one!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834999204


http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=3738245&st=laptop+lock&lp=2&type=product&cp=1&id=1051384145329

You can also get extra Ethernet cable there.

 

[MBELSANTI]

Thank you for all of your suggestions! I just ordered a cable lock from Best Buy and am going to pick it up later today. I found the little slot on my computer for the cable locks. Never knew they had this! I didnt purchase a longer ethernet cable, because I plan on using it at the table where the outlet is at.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Do you guys really fear someone stealing your laptops in a DVC Villa room? Seriously? I have left at least 2-3 out all over the place in the villas for every trip since I can remember and I never even thought about having a problem. Lock the sliding glass door. Lock the room. Next problem.

 

[AirGoofy]

I agree with the theft notion. I don't leave the laptop where someone could see it walking by the front door, but even if I did, I doubt anyone would jeopardize a break in and criminal charges for a lap top. Unless perhaps you have the winning numbers to the lottery or a name, ssn database for identity thieves. As for the wireless, if you slect "enable radio", the computer will search for a connection and then walk you through the steps from there. Swan & Dolphin has wireless. I don't remember the others.

 

[jenedpey]

While the laptop locks are a deterrent, keeping the laptop out of sight is much more important. We have been losing a lot of laptops at work, and while a few of them had lock cables cut with something, a lot of them are just broken out of the laptop. The lock tabs just go into the case, and a sudden jerk will break the case enough to allow the laptop to be stolen.

 

[LindaBabe]

at least as important as a lock even would be passwording the computer so only YOU can access the contents.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Do you guys lock your laptops up at home too? Seriously. They are MUCH more vulnerable there statistically than they are at Disney.

 

[msd1962]

I alway place mine in a suitcase, out of sight out of mind. I know the maid is only to come in every 4th day, but never know if they are having a rough time finacially and may need the cash they can get pawning it. Had a diamond bracelet stolen out of our room at Disney, but the maid said she did not do it, but did not show up for work anymore.

 

[Tara]

Do you guys lock your laptops up at home too? Seriously. They are MUCH more vulnerable there statistically than they are at Disney.

My laptop is left "alone" in hotel rooms far more than it's left at home so I think the statistics even out a little bit more in my case. Given that I travel with my work laptop, I take precautions with it that I wouldn't normally take with my own property. I also use my lock at client sites that are not as secure where people are in and out a lot - this keeps me from having to find someone to lock the door of the room I'm in if I have to leave to go to the restroom or something. I also used it to secure the zipper of my laptop bag/purse so that it wouldn't couldn't be opened on an occasion when I was stuck in the airport and had to take a nap (on the floor, no less). Overly cautious? Probably, but I know I was able to actually get some desperately needed sleep because I was less worried about my property.

Laptops are very easy targets - we had one stolen from our office off a desk when everyone was gathered in a nearby room for a birthday celebration. Brazen. We moved locations and in the first month found someone wandering around our small office very suspiciously. (No one would have any reason to just wander in and in both cases when discovered, the person said they were in the wrong place and left hastily.) We've since taken to locking the door and installed a doorbell.

I think there's nothing wrong with a little precaution as long as people don't become so dependent on the "tools" that they stop using common sense.