Note to those reading via rss/atom, there are images in this post that you likely can't see.
Computer locks are a necesary evil in many places. The computer lab I support is one such place. We do not go so far as to lockdown the keyboards and mice (I have seen places that do this, and it usually makes the working conditions for users much worse), but we do lockdown the computers, monitors, printers, and such.
Right now, we use like keyed normal Master Lock padlocks, and like keyed Master Lock padlock cables (as shown here)
The computer is locked closed with the padlock, which has the cable lock run through it. The cable is looped through the stand of the monitor and locked to the desk. (shown below)
Now those familar with Dell flat panels most likely realize that this is not secure, as the flat panel itself is attached to the stand by screws that would stop a thief for maybe a minute or three. Dell would have us use the thoughtfully supplied Kensington Security Slot (slightly blurry picture below).
Now the lock required to use that security slot (picture of a typical example below) would cost a normal consumer $40. A like keyed set of 25 would cost about $30 a lock. That's quite a bit of a difference than the $2 padlocks and $15 cables we bought in the past.
A slight tangent: I don't actually dislike the Kensington
Security Lock system. I think it is wonderful that there is a sane
non-mandated standard for locking down portable devices. I even carry one of their retractable locks with me in my laptop goodie bag. What I object to, is the price, and the instance on using it for larger devices. A monitor is easily large enough to accommodate a security hole large enough for a standard padlock. It would certainly be trivial to include a decent locking point on a 100 pound server, yet Dell did not in the most recent server we purchased from them.
Unfortunately it does not appear as if we are going to have much choice in the future. The current generation of monitors from Dell have a stand that can be removed at the touch of a button (and thus necessitate use of the Kensington locks), and their desktops use custom lock mechanisms (see below for an example) (that custom lock mechanism from Dell costs $30 btw).
Apparently I will have to factor in a few thousand dollars for locks and related bits and pieces when we next upgrade the lab.
