GPS Notebook Tracker?

[dbnoll03]

I got my Fujitsu LifeBook S6120D in yesterday! It is a great (and well priced) machine. But I am so paranoid about it getting lost/stolen.... Its a big investment for me. So...anybody know of a GPS notebook tracker? I see that Kensington has CompuTrace which appears to trace the computer though the internet, but that is not good enough for me. I want absolute tracking ability. If you know of security systems like this for notebooks, let me know. Thanks.

[no1_vern]

All of the security devices I know of use tracking when the perp connects. All GPS units I know of fit in the PCMCIA slot or connect via cable allowing easy removal.

IN FACT I dont know of anything available that cant be disabled or removed in under 15 minutes of a criminal having his hands on it(if he knows it's there).

Someone may come out eventually with a Wi-Fi device that is part of the motherboard that stays on "emitting" a homing signal whenever the criminal passes a node but not soon I think. Such a device will use power and drain the computer battery much faster than normal because it will always be emitting a signal.

Some of the special built laptops made for the government have circuitry built it allowing them to track the computer, but they are so expensive that its impractical for personal use(in the area of $22,000 each!!). In fact the government has stopped using them and (usually) buys dell or IBM laptops($800-2,000 each ballpark).

IMO all you can do is use strong encryption, which is a hassle remembering a complex 8 to 16(or more) digit password, and mechanically attaching it to a big heavy object.

MAKE SURE that you backup all of your critical data to a device such as a usb memory key or a protable cd-rw, WHICH BTW is a good idea even if your computer isnt a high theft risk.

[links]

If you could find a way to integrate the onstar system from your car you would be all set. The only thing I know of is the tracking through connecting to the internet. Keep a good eye on your computer and don't do anything stupid you should be alright. Good luck and enjoy your new computer.

[Big Calhoun]

Its understandable you wouldn't want to rely solely on tracking via the internet. However, that seems to be the most practical solution. If your laptop has built-in WiFi, why not use an application to automatically broadcast the IP to say an e-mail address or a AIM account when a connection is detected. I installed a small application such as this on a family members machine. Primarily, I use it to obtain their IP number if I have to use PCAnywhere to fix their machine. At the very least, you could use the IP information to track down the new owner of your laptop.