Each year in the UK thousands of laptop computers are stolen, increasing the need for security devices. Lapdog is designed specifically to stop the opportunist thief from making a clean getaway with your machine.

A matchbox-sized dongle plugs into the notebook's serial port and is held firm with two special screws. These are tightened with a small Allen key and secured with plug covers, which prevent easy access.

A USB version of the device is expected later in the year.

The dongle contains a movement sensor which detects any migration of the notebook once it is armed. Triggered in this way, Lapdog automatically does three things. Firstly, it sets off an alarm to scare the prospective thief away - unfortunately, this can be turned off with the external volume control, found on almost all notebooks.

Lapdog also transmits an alarm message to the supplied key-fob pager, which beeps to raise the alarm if you are away from your machine. The system boasts a wireless range of 200m but we found it often unable to register at even 20m.

Admittedly, there are other wireless devices in our Labs that may have provided interference, but this device is especially designed for offices and should therefore be able to cope in close proximity to other cordless communications.

By far the best part of Lapdog is the PC Lock software, which freezes the Windows Desktop upon activation. Unless the right password is entered, access to the notebook's programs and files is prevented. This worked every time we tried it and although not an out-and-out deterrent, it might make a thief think twice about actually stealing a notebook they can't access.

The alarm is also raised if the dongle is removed from the machine.

Replacement dongles cost £58.74 and replacement pagers, £35.24.

Specifications

Contact

CI Solutions: 020 8892 1222 www.ci-s.com