Targus DEFCON CL Notebook Computer Cable Lock Model PA410U

Pros: Works good, easy to use combination lock

Cons: none

Pros: Can be used as a paperweight.

Cons: The cable type is irrelevant, even with spacers there is far to much play, up to 25 degrees with no resistance between lock and laptop (Asus N53-SV)..

WIth that much play I am certain I could twist it right off causing cosmetic laptop damage, but very little given the play.

There is also a reported friction hack. A wonderful feature to let hotel staff know your ATM PIN Number. As most people will use their bank card pin number.

Two birds with one stone, lose the laptop, lose your bank contents.

Of course these locks are just deterents to encourage the nefarious to move on to other targets - but if all it takes is a quick one handed twist.... what deterent?

Baxck to the engineering drawing board with this one.

I will never buy any targus branded product again.

Other Thoughts: I'm also going to give serious thought not to buying from retailers that sell their junk - as in NewEgg.

Retailers need to take responsibility for what they sell.

Pros: Looks pretty and secure

Cons: Easy to break (and yes it's this lock model). 4 numbers 1 at base 4 being farthest. Hold button and turn dial 3 and 4, if 3 has no friction, turn 4 one notch and repeat until dial 3 turns like 4. Then do the same with the second and third dial. Lock broken in 2 minutes or less. Or just grab and snap it perpendicular to the laptop and it'll pop right out with almost now sound. I shimmied it out in 5 seconds.

Other Thoughts: This Defcon CL is as effective as sticking on sign on your laptop reading "Don't steal me!" Bought it at Best Buy and probably won't be able to get my money back tomorrow. I was in a pinch and didn't do my homework, whoops.

Pros: DEFCON version of this lock is better than a similar version. Not as easy to brute force open the lock or use the "beer can" trick.

Cons: Not easy to discern this model from the older more vulnerable model. Targus support is awful.

Other Thoughts: Someone in another review said, "Cons: Can be cracked in minutes. Pressing the button on the lock causes friction on the tumblers. Hold the button and start with the tumbler with most friction, move till another tumbler becomes harder to move. Do so till cracked. Laptop stolen in <5 minutes."

There's an older Targus lock that looks exactly the same, I think the color of the plastic around the numbers is different, and it is vulnerable. This lock is a bit better. 5 minutes is enough time to delay someone from making off with your notebook. I would carry this lock if I was in an airport. Now a days I use a netbook with internet cloud storage so loosing a cheapo notebook isn't a killer.

Pros: It's a twisted cord of metal. It works.

Cons: None.

Pros: it locks your computer.

Cons: I purchased this lock from Best buy (I learned my lesson & I don't shop there anymore). Anyway I used this lock daily & it worked fine until last week when for some unknown reason the combination drifted. I've since been trying to contact Targus but none of the contact information on their website is valid & all e-mails are auto-replied "that address no longer exists". I've now brought my laptop & 2 desk drawers home from work & I'm going to have to dremel this lock apart.

Other Thoughts: I will never buy another Targus product again with this kind of customer support & I highly recommend you never buy their stuff either.

Pros: Visual security

Cons: Can be cracked in minutes. Pressing the button on the lock causes friction on the tumblers. Hold the button and start with the tumbler with most friction, move till another tumbler becomes harder to move. Do so till cracked. Laptop stolen in <5 minutes.

Other Thoughts: Found this in my sister's laptop bag, didn't know the combo, figured it out rather quickly.

Pros: None

Cons: I had to tear apart my Dell XPS 630i to pry out the Targus DEFCON CL. That is, I did some serious damage to my expensive desktop... The combination has obviously changed (probably during insertion) and I was unable to unlock my PC.
I could not even reset the lock (from the cap screw) after prying it out because the combination has totally drifted, so I don't know what the active combination is.

Other Thoughts: Stay away - you are going to regret buying this chinese piece of garbage.

Pros: Well, it hasn't locked up on me yet, but I plan on being careful with it...

Cons: Flimsy. Any monkey could beat this out of the computer it is locked to, but then again, remember that anyone with a bolt cutter can get through any locking device you implement.

Pros: None

Cons: I set the combination following the instructions in the manual. I tested it twice, worked fine. Put it in my computer, it stopped working. Now, I have to saw it off with a hacksaw. I called Targus support and they refused to help at all. All they suggested was trying all the combinations (10,000). Given that the combination slipped after only 2 uses, you could go forever and not get it to work.

Other Thoughts: Targus tech support is terrible. They don't respond to email inquires, and when you call, they email directions from their website that tell you to cut it off or try all the combinations. They admit that the tumblers can slip, but refuse to pay to get it off the computer. All they can offer is a replacement, provided you pay shipping.