Laptops/hotels/poker trips

Unknown

I was thinking about trying to squeeze in one WSOP event between blocks of Idol days. The one that I might be able to play is a 2K NLHE event on July 14th.

At any rate, I was wondering about laptops and hotel rooms. If I take my laptop with me, is it safe to leave it in a hotel room? It's new, I'm still nervous about it. I know people have taken laptops with them on poker trips... do they take the laptops with them everywhere they go, or do they leave them in their rooms?

Hobbes

I wouln't leave it in the room unless it had a safe big enough to hold it or you have an alarm attached to it.

Here's the one that I use: http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1740354&CatId=607

You could always check and see if you could keep it in the hotel safe.

GL as WSOP

Hobbes

earthpoker

I think you are being a little paranoid. I mean if you are staying at a motel that is one thing...but if you are staying at a decent hotel then I really wouldnt worry about it at all. IF they constantly had theft problems they wouldnt be in business too long. Plus if you ARE one of those paranoid types. them you should put all you good clothes in a lock box too, lol. You can also look into LOJACK for your PC which tracks it using GPS technology.

Yorkpoker

AA, I am the same way. I travel with my computer almost all the time and I have had one stolen before. Big hotel or not, I cannot begin to describe the feeling of finding out your room was burgled.

I have actually put a bike lock of sorts on my machine. I have had holes drilled and a eyelet installed. It's supposedly unable to be removed from the machine. Anyhow, I use a cable and a pad lock and basically chain it to the desk, bed, tub, whatever won't be removed. I also have an encrypted hard drive, so that if someone DID take this thing, at least my data and contact lists, etc. would remain uncompromised.

I suppose I am a little paranoid too, but I cannot afford to lose a laptop - too much on this thing (and I even back up weekly).

Cheers.

GL - if you're around, I may see you there.

Yorkpoker

having said all that, I still don't worry all that much about theft. Passport, credit cards and cash are still more likely to be grabbed.

boxcard

I gotta admit that the title had me thinking you were looking for "something" to top your lap in a hotel room in Vegas. Someone told me once that Vegas is just a big version of downtown Regina.

Flint Bones

I used to work in computer security for a really big company. We had a lot of laptop thefts and I used to travel all over the US and Canada with my laptop. In my 6 years in that position, I never saw a theft from a hotel. You laptop is safest in the hotel as compared to your car or anywhere else. However, the thefts do occur.

No offense to Hobbes, but those "security" devices only prevent honest people from stealing your computer. A professional can circumvent those devices in seconds. Trust me, I can do it. People lost their keys all the time.

AcidJoe

Devin, I travel with my laptop all the time. I do leave it in hotel rooms, but I usually keep it out of site. I have a travel bag that everything fits into and I hang it up in the closet with my suit or coat overtop. If the room is going to get burgled then it will. Same thing I never leave it on the seat of a car or anywhere visible.

CanadaKev

Im here on my laptop at my hotel in Vegas

Hobbes

Flint Bones wrote:

I used to work in computer security for a really big company. We had a lot of laptop thefts and I used to travel all over the US and Canada with my laptop. In my 6 years in that position, I never saw a theft from a hotel. You laptop is safest in the hotel as compared to your car or anywhere else. However, the thefts do occur.

No offense to Hobbes, but those "security" devices only prevent honest people from stealing your computer. A professional can circumvent those devices in seconds. Trust me, I can do it. People lost their keys all the time.

No Offence taken, I liken it to the dead bolt on my house door.
It keeps the lazy crooks away

Hobbes

Mark

Hi Devin
FWIW I spent a week at the Bellagio in March & left my laptop on the desk in the room the whole time.
I would be concerned at a Days Inn , but the bigger places have lots of security IMHO.
Good Luck!

twosnaces

I was at the Flamingo in Vegas last week (for the WSOP) and left my laptop on the desk for the entire trip. The trip before that my friends had about three laptops scattered around the room at the Mirage. I've never heard of anyone having a problem leaving a laptop in a hotel room. But you never know...