I just had a notebook stolen that was "locked" with this lock. The thief gave it a good yank, and the metal easily broke off. I suppose it may work as a deterrent, but don't fool yourself into thinking your computer can't be stolen.

I am very happy with my cable lock. Although it does not make your computer equal to Fort Knox, it will at the very least slow a would-be theif down. I can hang my 8lb laptop off of it, and bounce it up and down with the cable, and it holds firm (trial conducted over my bed, a heavily padded surface). I like how the cable swivels around the actual lock to avoid the cable kinking, and becoming cumbersome. I also like the fact that it is a key operated system. Although combinations are quicker, they can be hacked in about 5 minutes of trying, and slipping a key in the lock and giving a quick turn can't be any simpler. Just remember to keep one key in a safe place, and write the key serial number down somewhere so a replacement can be found. For the money, I don't think there is a better security option for notebook computers, unless you spend the ... on a doberman puppy, and train it to attack computer theifs. But that would be hard. Buy this lock system, and it could save you ....

Let me start by saying what I like about this device: it is relatively light, and works flawlessly both as security against and as a deterrent to anyone trying to walk off with your notebook. With this device, I feel safe leaving my $3000+ Sony Vaio sitting in the library for an hour while I go grab lunch. It takes 20 seconds to lock, and 20 seconds to unlock, and has been compatible with every notebook I've tried it on.

That said, the device is not without its problems. Firstly, the device is HYPER-sensitive to motion. If one puts the device into motion-detection mode, it is very difficult to disarm (i.e. to rotate the combination dial) without setting off the alarm. What's worse yet is the 110db warning beep it lets out every time it detects even the slightest bit of motion, meaning that even if you are skilled enough not to set off the full alarm, you are going to have a rather embarassing time disarming it should be in any sort of quiet setting. In short, it is virtually impossible to use the motion detector feature in anywhere you might want it, like a library, since your neighbors will not likely be receptive to a series of 110db warning beeps. Another problem with the device is that there are only 1000 possible combinations. While this sounds like a petty complaint, it is significant -- if you plan to leave your notebook unattended for an hour or two, it is not difficult for your local sticky-fingers to run through all possible combinations before you get back. Let us hope no one is this daring, however. My final complaint about the device is a minor one -- I don't need a 110db beep to let me know the device is on.

Basically, Targus could fix most of the problems by having two volume levels for various warning beeps; instead, though, we have to suffer through these things at the same ear-piercing volume as the alarm.

Mine goes off with little or no motion. It almost seems that its own "beep" causes enough motion to make it "beep", which causes it to "BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP"..... So I don't set it. The saving grace is that even if I don't set it, the alarm always goes off if the cable is cut. The thinness of the cable plus its retractability make it easier to travel with than the thick cables.

This product is very compact and easy to use. You dont need to carry a lengthy cable. This also has motion sensor which is very useful especially in hotels, and airports. The only problem is that there are only 999 combinations of lock which could be easy to break.