What to do with my laptop....

[ubermama]

We've always just locked it up in our suitcases. We don't leave the charger out so it's not too obvious we have it along. Never really been worried. Just be sure you back up your pictures in case something does happen. We always empty our memory cards from the cameras onto our laptop. I would probably be sure that it was covered under my house insurance too.

 

[maxiesmom]

I operate under the notion that most people probably leave stuff out all the time and it is ok, but it sucks to be that one person out of a thousand who has their stuff taken. I had my camera stolen out of a stroller, so I learned the hard way. I'm sure many people leave their stuff out all the time and are just fine, but that isn't always the case.

If you would be upset to come back to your room and find your computer gone, then do something to make it harder to steal. Leaving it out in the open and hoping you are lucky is a bit reckless. I know I won't be so trusting, that just because I am at WDW everyone is nice, ever again.

 

[disnut8]

I operate under the notion that most people probably leave stuff out all the time and it is ok, but it sucks to be that one person out of a thousand who has their stuff taken. I had my camera stolen out of a stroller, so I learned the hard way. I'm sure many people leave their stuff out all the time and are just fine, but that isn't always the case.

If you would be upset to come back to your room and find your computer gone, then do something to make it harder to steal. Leaving it out in the open and hoping you are lucky is a bit reckless. I know I won't be so trusting, that just because I am at WDW everyone is nice, ever again.

I don't hope I am lucky, I guess I'm a bit more trusting that 99.9% of the people I encounter won't be thieves. I once had two checks taken from my checkbook that was left in my purse in a drawer in a locked hotel room. And then checks were taken from the middle of the checkbook so I didn't know they were missing until almost two months later when the bank statement came and those checks were used but not in my register. Does that mean I shouldn't ever carry a checkbook in my purse ever again? Thieves will be thieves will be thieves if they really want something. I think my point is laptops are so common these days just about everyone has one and those who don't really don't want one. At least that I what I think and I guess I am lucky.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

SAFE DEPOSIT BOXES: (at Resort Front Desk)

Safe Deposit Boxes:
. . . ALL resorts do have safety boxes at the Front Desk
. . . there are two sizes (about 4"x5"x15" and about 5"x7"x15")
. . . like a bank, you place goods in box and you & hotel each get a key
. . . you sign a card and initial the card upon each entry thereafter
. . . they have two sizes at each resort (big laptops do not fit either size)
. . . there is no charge for their use
. . . the hotel is not responsible for the items that you deposit *
. . . no resort has a public "safe" behind the Front Desk
. . . resorts do not put guest items into the main hotel safe
. . . you can only use the safety deposit boxes

As a note for large items left at bell services:
. . . items left with Bell Services are not guaranteed secure
. . . and, there is no guarantee of functioning condition for mechanical or electrical devices
. . . and, there are no separate "lock boxes" or "cages" in luggage rooms **
. . . additionally, seldom are luggage rooms kept locked at any resort
. . . frequently guests are found walking through the luggage rooms


* By using the safe deposit boxes, hotels are completely harmless from liability. The guest
handles, places and removes items, so the hotel does not have any chance to alter, damage,
or lose items. I know of no hotel that would take responsibility for valuables. There is just
too much chance for guests to flim-flam the hotel for lost or damaged goods.

** Some luggage rooms have cages, but those are for a) WDW items needing to be secured
(like wheelchairs at OKW) and b) secured luggage room for luggages checked for DME flights
through BAGS, Inc.

 

[eacosper]

DH and I LOCK it in the suitcase when we go out for the day. The thief would have to unlock the suitcase somehow and then get the laptop.

I have also heard of people taking the battery out of the laptop and putting that in the safe and the laptop itself somewhere else. That way at least it would be harder for the thief to get into your computer.

 

[acebatonfan]

For me, I usually hide mine in either a dresser, a closet, or in my suitcase. My mom and I drove down to DC a few weeks ago, and we usually bring a few white garbage bags to place dirty clothes in during the trip (makes it easier to take the bag back home and know which clothing needs to be washed first), and I ended up placing my laptop behind the stuffed clothing bag in the closet.

 

[Upatnoon]

Umpteen trips over the last 7 years and have allways left it on the table, never had any issues.

Yep, that's us as well. I remember when laptops cost thousands. Now the luggage people are hiding them in could be worth more.

 

[barbliny]

Maybe we're tempting fate ...

but, wherever we go, the laptops (or Ipads) just sits on top of the desk, unlocked

We have never had a problem, nor stressed for a second about it ...

I think our turning point was sending our older daughter to college -- we sent her with all of the laptop locks, etc. and warned her constantly about locking her room door - this was freshman year. We're pretty sure (because she admitted it) she ignored all of the advice we gave her. Sophomore year ... in addition to all of that, she brought her car up to school, and I'm pretty sure her car keys were not secure every time she left.

Kind of puts things in perspective.

But, we're sticklers about password locking all of the computer/laptops we use - and none of the passwords are intuitive.

Knock on wood, knock on wood, knock on wood, knock, knock on wood (I said I was trusting, but I am superstitious)

 

[HARASW]

My husband works during our trip so he always takes his laptop with him. He always leaves it out on the nightstand or corner table.

 

[guitarob]

I have always just left mine on the desk, plugged in and ready for me to dump the day's photos onto it. Thankfully, it's always just been sitting there undisturbed, waiting for my return.