New Mac Mini - No Security Slot

[ernstcs]

Hello All,

I just wanted to share some information regarding the new Mac Mini before
anyone, particularly in education, decides to purchase these.

There is no security slot (kensington style slot) on the new Mac Mini.
Depending on how you choose to secure these in your classrooms or labs, you
might need to find an alternative method.

For Apple's part, they did send a notice about this and called to inform
this of this change in the unit before processing the order. We can still
purchase the older unit it sounds...great, now I get an out dated system.

However, I am quite disappointed. We use Mac Minis in all of our classrooms
because Mac Pros are overkill, the all-in-one iMac is a waste of display
when using it with a less capable projector, and both take up valuable real
estate.

Craig Ernst
Systems Management and Configuration
+-------------------+
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Learning and Technology Services
105 Garfield Ave
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Phone: (715) 836-3639
Fax: (715) 836-6001
+-------------------+
ernstcs at uwec.edu

[jarednichols]

Sounds like something a Dremel and 10,000 RPM could fix :)

j
-- 
Jared F. Nichols
Desktop Engineer, Client Services
Information Services Department
MIT Lincoln Laboratory
244 Wood Street
Lexington, Massachusetts 02420
781.981.5436

[tlarkin]

You could always buy a mount kit for it and lock it up that way, see my blog on what we did with a bunch of them

http://tlarkin.com/blog/new-way-use-mac-mini

and no we did not use those massive master locks for those, that was the only lock we had on hand when my co-worker built this for proof of concept

[ernstcs]

Cool, now I have to buy more crap to attach to something...

Oh, and the new dimensions won’t fit that harness. =)

It’s just a matter of principal really, what computer these days does not have some sort of ability to secure it either by a kensington slot or padlock loop? I say this knowing full well someone is going to tell me there are others...

Craig E

On 6/17/10 9:52 AM, "Thomas Larkin" <tlarki at kckps.org> wrote:

You could always buy a mount kit for it and lock it up that way, see my blog on what we did with a bunch of them

http://tlarkin.com/blog/new-way-use-mac-mini <http://tlarkin.com/blog/new-way-use-mac-mini>

and no we did not use those massive master locks for those, that was the only lock we had on hand when my co-worker built this for proof of concept

[bentoms]

Hmm.. looks like this is the same for the server too!!!

Oversight indeed..

Ben Toms
IT Support Analyst GREY Group
The Johnson Building, 77 Hatton Garden, London, EC1N 8JS
T: +44 (0) 20-3037-3819 |
Main: +44 (0) 20 3037 3000 | IT Helpdesk: +44 (0) 20 3037 3883

[jarednichols]

I was serious about the Dremel…

:)
--
Jared F. Nichols
Desktop Engineer, Client Services
Information Services Department
MIT Lincoln Laboratory
244 Wood Street
Lexington, Massachusetts 02420
781.981.5436

[ernstcs]

See, now that’s what I’m talking about...a “server” doesn’t have security. Granted...my server floor has other security measures.

Craig E

P.S. My god you people with your email disclaimers in sigantures...

[#8]

If your server is in an unsecured location and mounted in a way that
someone could just run off with it, then you have bigger problems than
missing the Kensington lock slot! : )

- JD

[bentoms]

True.. but it's still an odd omission!

Ben Toms
IT Support Analyst GREY Group
The Johnson Building, 77 Hatton Garden, London, EC1N 8JS
T: +44 (0) 20-3037-3819 |
Main: +44 (0) 20 3037 3000 | IT Helpdesk: +44 (0) 20 3037 3883

[tlarkin]

If you work in a historically protected building you cannot drill, modify, run cables, or alter the building in any way out of it's original form. We have several in my district. We have had to come up with some creative ways to put switch and server cabinets in, and rack mount systems in.

[#11]

This is a good catch Craig and disappointing as I like this system. Drilling
on a $700 Core2 Duo 2.4 GHZ system? No thanks. :(

[bentoms]

It can also be difficult when your kit isn't in your won office...

But hey, that's for me to sort..

Thanks Craig for letting us know!

Ben Toms
IT Support Analyst GREY Group
The Johnson Building, 77 Hatton Garden, London, EC1N 8JS
T: +44 (0) 20-3037-3819 |
Main: +44 (0) 20 3037 3000 | IT Helpdesk: +44 (0) 20 3037 3883

[RobertHammen]

This will likely be a "third-party opportunity"

Suggest keeping an eye on Griffin, Sonnet, or some other websites like http://www.123macmini.com/ as I'm sure someone will fill this void...

--Robert

[Bukira]

As well as void your warrantee

[#15]

Surely there is some sort of security bracket that can be superglued to
almost anything, including the new Mac Mini. If this doesn't already exist,
it should be invented. Definitely an oversight by Apple. It is easier to
steal a Mini than a laptop.

--
Karl Schoenefeld | IT Department
SGS St Louis | 1035 Hanley Industrial Court | St Louis, MO 63144
Direct: 314-918-3126 | Cell: 314-680-0359

[#16]

I'd suggest that the missing lock is deliberate. The lock holes provide only mediocre security and most every lock that uses them can be removed with a screwdriver or knife in a matter of seconds; without the lock hole there's no assumption that it provided adequate security, and you are compelled to find a more secure enclosure.

--Jim

[taugust04]

This should work for securing the new Mini.

http://www.pc-security.com/products_solutions/enclosures/DS-ENC-ATV.htm

It's for the AppleTV, but the have almost the exact same dimensions now. They also sell one for the older Mac Mini but that might be a little too big for the new one.

-Ted

[Bukira]

errrr how ugly is that :-(

Criss Myers
Senior Customer Support Analyst (Mac Services)
iPhone Developer
Apple Certified Technical Coordinator v10.5
LIS Development Team
Adelphi Building AB28
University of Central Lancashire
Preston PR1 2HE
Ex 5054
01772 895054

[#19]

I think I would rather have maintenance drill a small hole in a locked
cabinet and put the mini in there. Zero cost and minimum labor.

[heathjw]

We use these and they work very well -- with a loop cable and padlock you have the same effective security measure as a Kensington lock slot.

http://www.secure-it.com/shop/product_info.php/cPath/29/products_id/94

- Jay Heath
jheath at ecfs.org
718-329-7542

On Jun 18, 2010, at 7:50 AM, James Alcasid wrote:

I think I would rather have maintenance drill a small hole in a locked cabinet and put the mini in there. Zero cost and minimum labor.

On 6/18/10 3:15 AM, "Criss Myers" <CMyers at uclan.ac.ukx-msg://249/CMyers@uclan.ac.uk> wrote:

errrr how ugly is that :-(

Criss Myers

Senior Customer Support Analyst (Mac Services)

iPhone Developer

Apple Certified Technical Coordinator v10.5

LIS Development Team

Adelphi Building AB28

University of Central Lancashire

Preston PR1 2HE

Ex 5054

01772 895054

[H3144-IT]

I am using MacCuff from Sonnet

http://www.sonnettech.com/product/maccuffmini.html