The Mac Observer

Skip navigational links

Choose text size: Select small text. Select medium text. Select large text.

DealsOnTheWeb Daily Deal: Free Shipping at Omaha Steaks on orders of $75 or More - Two Days Only!!!

Study Shows 12,000+ Laptops Lost at Airports Each Week

by , 2:45 PM EDT, July 1st, 2008

A survey by the Ponemon Institute revealed that about 637,000 notebook computers are lost at airports each year, over 12,000 per week, according to Computerworld on Tuesday.

Of those, over 10,000 notebook computers are reported lost at 36 of the largest U.S. airports. Reasons for losing the computer include outright theft, having left the computer somewhere it shouldn't be, or leaving them behind at the security checkpoint, something can be particularly distracting.

Roughly 65 percent of those notebook computers lost at the largest airports are never reclaimed, and the vast majority report that they believe they have no hope of recovering their lost computer.

One valuable tool for frequent travelers with computers, including Macs, is Absolute Software's Computrace LoJack system which has the ability to both remote wipe a lost computer and physically locate it.

The report, commissioned by Dell, also said that many people are ashamed of reporting lost laptops. That may be understandable for individuals, but more and more corporations and government agencies are requiring the hard disk of notebooks computers to be encrypted and losses immediately reported.

Observer Comments

Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments
Close Name:Guest
Tue Jul 01, 2008 3:39 pm Subject: NOT!

Even the commenters on the Computerworld article don't believe this "survey". Are they still waiting to be claimed? Where are they all stored? The Pokemon institute?


 Reply | Quote
Close Name:Guest
Wed Jul 02, 2008 1:43 am Subject: Great ... if you own a Dell

Isn't this Mac Observer? What is with the Dell news?

I looked around and found software similar for Macs called GadgetTrak:

http://www.gadgettrak.com/products/verey/

Looks pretty cool even uses the camera to capture video of the thief. I just wish they had a free trial.


 Reply | Quote
Close Name:Guest
Wed Jul 02, 2008 1:44 am Subject: "Commissioned by Dell"

AKA paid advertising by Dell and Absolute Software to scare you into buying their spyware.


 Reply | Quote
Close Name:geoduck Posts: 1921 Joined: 30 Dec 2003
Wed Jul 02, 2008 4:09 am Subject:

Quote
also said that many people are ashamed of reporting lost laptops

If there were noting else that would make me doubt the report, this would. My Powerbook would cost $2000 to replace. You can be bloody well sure I would report it wandering off. Heck if I lost a $300 Asus laptop I would raise a stink.

The idea that many people would accept this kind of loss out of embarrassment is unfathomable to me.


 Reply | Quote
Comment on this Article


Guest Posts Visible. Hide Them.
Back to top  Page 1 of 1    

You cannot edit your comments.   You cannot delete your comments.
Log in | Register | Having Problems? Reset TMO Cookies & Try Again
Username:   Password:   Log me on automatically each visit   

You are not logged in, and this post will appear as "Guest." Log in with your username and password from the TMO forums. If you do not have a username, you can register here.
Please note that guests are limited to including a maximum of two URLs per post.

Post A Comment
  Subject


  Your Comments



Please enter the word exactly as you see it in the image above. Registered users aren't prompted for this. Having trouble reading the image get a new one.

Recent Headlines - Updated Saturday, November 29th, 2008

Sat., 9:00 PM
Podcast - Apple Weekly Report #135: Apple Lawsuits, Banned iPhone Ad, Green MacBook Ad
Fri., 12:45 PM
Podcast - Mac Geek Gab #178: Batch Permission Changes, Encrypting Follow-up, Re-Enabling AirPort, and GigE speeds
Thu., 1:30 PM
iPO Review - Scosche kickBACK iPhone case
7:00 AM
Happy Thanksgiving from TMO!
Wed., 6:00 PM
TMO Appearances - Nancy Gravley Joins MacJury Gift Guide
5:15 PM
TMO Visits The Bay, a Premium Apple Reseller in New Zealand
3:25 PM
iPO Oh the Games You'll Play - iPhone: The Wii of Handheld Gaming Devices?
2:15 PM
Sonnet Releases Simply Fast FireWire 800 to 400 Adapter
1:10 PM
Mac Gaming News - Disney Plans 1st Annual PotC Online Thanksgiving Event
12:05 PM
iPodObserver - UK Shuts Down iPhone 3G Ad
11:15 AM
TMO Appearances - Jeff Gamet on MacJury Gift Guide
10:30 AM
TMO Contest - TMO Announces Macworld Expo Pass Winners
9:50 AM
PhotoCopy 1.1 Adds iPhoto Event Support
9:15 AM
Acclivity Buys MYOB US
8:30 AM
Review - Bento 2 Holiday Pack
7:50 AM
Microsoft Offers Black Friday Office Discount
7:30 AM
iPO Quick Tip - iPhone: Google Street View
 

The Mac Observer Reader Specials

Apple Stock Quote

  • AAPL: $91.41. Change Today: -4.49.
  • (Prices delayed up to 20 minutes.)
  • Discuss in our Apple Finance Board

Hot Topics

What's the buzz? These articles have TMO readers talking.

Apple iTunes

Top Deals From DealsOnTheWeb