Apple debuts $50 security lock adapter for redesigned late-2013 Mac Pro

Posted:
in General Discussion edited July 2014
Apple on Tuesday introduced the first official hardware security adapter specifically designed for the late-2013 Mac Pro, offering owners basic protection against theft and tampering.




According to Apple's description of the $50 Mac Pro Security Lock Adapter, the accessory clamps on to the machine without need for special tools and is compatible with most third-party Kensington locks or similar products. A lock is not included in the package.

The adapter latches on to the Mac Pro's pedestal and aluminum case, granting access to all ports and the power cord while preventing the case from being opened. In essence, the adapter serves as a specialized anchor point to which users can attach a third-party lock of their choosing.

Since Apple opted to not build a security mechanism or lock attachment point into the Mac Pro's sleek chassis, third-party accessory makers jumped in with their own designs, including a few that required case modifications. Apple notes its in-house design is completely temporary and can be installed and removed without damaging the Mac Pro's highly polished aluminum case.

Apple's $50 Mac Pro Security Lock Adapter is available from the Online Apple Store and will be showing up at brick-and-mortar outlets soon.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 41
    Only its mother would not call that "ugly!"
  • Reply 2 of 41

    $50 for a little piece of metal... come on Apple, really. I wonder how long it will take before the Chinese knock-offs start.

  • Reply 3 of 41
    coolfactorcoolfactor Posts: 2,239member

    AGREED!

     

    $50 for a "feature" that should have been part of the machine's design from the start. Inexcusable!

  • Reply 4 of 41
    coolfactorcoolfactor Posts: 2,239member
    Quote:


     Since Apple did build a security mechanism or lock attachment point into the Mac Pro's sleek chassis, third-party accessory makers jumped in with their own designs


     

    I assume you meant:  did "_not_" build a ... ?

     

    Proofreading is important.

  • Reply 5 of 41
    mr omr o Posts: 1,046member

    Why not just having:

     


    1. Touch ID, to prevent someone opening the case?

    2. Find my Mac, to prevent someone stealing your Mac?

  • Reply 6 of 41
    ochymingochyming Posts: 474member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by coolfactor View Post

     

     

    I assume you meant:  did "_not_" build a ... ?

     

    Proofreading is important.


     

     

    Time, time … perhaps he/she didn’t have it.

    Perhaps.

  • Reply 7 of 41
    MarvinMarvin Posts: 15,310moderator
    $50 for a little piece of metal... come on Apple, really. I wonder how long it will take before the Chinese knock-offs start.

    Looks like there's a 3rd party bracket already:

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mac-Locks-CL12MPL-Security-Bracket-/271502009898

    It's more expensive but at least it includes the cable. Given that it's securing a $3000+ machine, a $50 cost is a relatively small investment and they'll base the price on potential sales. The target audience is the group that both owns Mac Pros and needs to secure them. This will be a small fraction of 100,000 users every quarter.

    A simpler method might be to feed a metal wire through the vent holes at the base:

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Laptop-Metal-Chain-Notebook-Lock-Password-Lock-Wire-/390684234716

    It might need thinner metal to do that and it wouldn't stop the lid coming off but it's cheaper.
  • Reply 8 of 41
    philboogiephilboogie Posts: 7,675member
    A close up would've made this article much better.

    [IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/45249/width/500/height/1000[/IMG]
  • Reply 9 of 41
    Couldn't they have made it black? Looks like security was an oversight.
  • Reply 10 of 41
    solipsismxsolipsismx Posts: 19,566member
    The new Retina MBPs don't have a Kensington slot either. I certainly don't understand why they wouldn't have included this from the start, especially on the expensive and easily totable Mac Pro.

    mr o wrote: »
    Why not just having:
    1. Touch ID, to prevent someone opening the case?
    2. Find my Mac, to prevent someone stealing your Mac?

    1) You still need to be able to open the case without power, which is how I assume most will be opening their case anyway.

    2) It has Find My Mac, but it doesn't prevent anyone from stealing. At best I could it could be a mild deterrent but without a battery, GPS or cellular unplugging it would mean that the Find My Mac wouldn't work anyway.
  • Reply 11 of 41
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member
    Touch ID would be a logical addition to the next iteration.
  • Reply 12 of 41
    solipsismxsolipsismx Posts: 19,566member
    Marvin wrote: »
    Looks like there's a 3rd party bracket already:

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mac-Locks-CL12MPL-Security-Bracket-/271502009898

    It's more expensive but at least it includes the cable...

    1) Apple's offer seems slightly less expensive with the cable you also posted.

    2) I doubt it will happen since the audience is so small (and the cost potentially high), but I'd like to see a strength comparison.The bracket you posted looks good but how strong is the metal and how secure is it. Also, doesn't the Kensington lock going in sideways off the back leave the pin mechanism exposed on the left side? Is that a vulnerability to this system? My feeling is that it is and Mac Locks only shows the one image.


    1000
  • Reply 13 of 41
    darkvaderdarkvader Posts: 1,146member

    I'm amazed that there aren't more Apple apologists posting.  I mean, sure, $50 for something that should have been part of the design to start with is inexcusable, but there's usually lots of support for every other inexcusable thing Apple does on here.

  • Reply 14 of 41
    thewhitefalconthewhitefalcon Posts: 4,453member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by DarkVader View Post

     

    I'm amazed that there aren't more Apple apologists posting.  I mean, sure, $50 for something that should have been part of the design to start with is inexcusable, but there's usually lots of support for every other inexcusable thing Apple does on here.




    How is this "inexcusable"? It's not like Apple is charging $500 for a copy of OS X.

     

    The lock is a bit pricey, but it's also a custom solution being provided to a limited market, which means low production numbers. And, as it has been shown, there are already alternatives.

     

    Cheaper than a Smart Case, at any rate.

  • Reply 15 of 41
    solipsismxsolipsismx Posts: 19,566member
    And, as it has been shown, there are already alternatives.

    And at least one alternative is more expensive than Apple's offering.
  • Reply 16 of 41
    mstonemstone Posts: 11,510member

    What do you attach the other end of that skinny cable to? 

  • Reply 17 of 41
    apple ][apple ][ Posts: 9,233member

    Sometimes I criticize Apple, but in this thread I am definitely going to be an Apple "apologist".

     

    LOL@ those people who are complaining about a $50 security lock in this thread. I doubt that those people who are complaining even own any new Mac Pros. And if an owner of a new Mac Pro is interested in securing their machine for whatever purpose, then $50 is peanuts. People who have an Android mentality do not buy any Mac Pros.

     

    It's like people who complain that genuine, original Apple power supplies and cables are too expensive.

     

    Ok fine, you cheapskate, go ahead and use a knock off power supply that you found on ebay or someplace else for less money. Good job! You are a wise person indeed, you managed to save a couple of dollars and that's what's important isn't it?, even if you just purchased a dangerous and poorly made counterfeit charger.

     

    When we read about a family member of yours that just got electrocuted when charging their device, then hopefully the couple of dollars that you saved will have been worth it.<img class=" src="http://forums-files.appleinsider.com/images/smilies//lol.gif" /> 

  • Reply 18 of 41
    slurpyslurpy Posts: 5,382member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by DarkVader View Post

     

    I'm amazed that there aren't more Apple apologists posting.  I mean, sure, $50 for something that should have been part of the design to start with is inexcusable, but there's usually lots of support for every other inexcusable thing Apple does on here.


     

    Talk about the need to whine and sensationalize. "Inexcusable"? Really? Do you even know what that word means? First of all, not everyone needs a damn security lock, a ton of people probably have their Mac Pro at home- so why include it as part of the core design? I haven't heard a blip about this issue till I read this article, so obviously it wasnt some massive complaint by a ton of people- just vocal whiners like you. I never saw a complaint about it in ANY of the reviews I read. So now, people have another option that they did not have before today, and you take that as an opportunity to bitch and whine further. THAT is what I call inexcusable trolling, not the fact that Apple didn't include a piece of metal that most people dont need, or didnt compromise the initial design for a niche requirement. I've been using Macs for more than 15 years and not once have I used a security cable. The VAST majority are in the same boat. 

     

    I bet you if we ran through the list of all the "inexcusable" things that Apple has done over the years according to people like you (ie. streamlining both hardware and software, dropping obsolete tech), they are all things that have contributed to the success of the company. 

     

    Lets take a look at a couple other of your recent posts:

     

    Quote:

     Exactly.  Stupidity for its own sake.  Only Apple would even consider doing something that damn stupid. The only reason I think there's a good chance they won't is that fortunately they're about to be forced to put a micro USB jack on all of their phones in Europe instead of the proprietary Lightning connector.  


     

    So, you truly believe Apple is one of the stupidest companies on the planet, yet you decide to come post here. Oh, and the next statement shows the extent of your utter ignorance- no, Apple is not going to be forced to put a micro usb port on their phones- they simply will include an adapter, which fits the requirement. Micro USB does not have half the features that lightning does.

     

    Quote:

     So, iDisk is back.  About time.   Of course, they're idiots for killing it in the first place, and I'm probably not going to use it, I've already got other solutions in place at this point.


     

    There we go, again, the deep ignorance you swim in always leads you to proclaim Apple's extreme idiocy. You should apply to work at the company, to save them from their utter and complete ineptitude. They'd be so lucky to have you.

     

    Quote:

     I'm only running it because Apple didn't release 6.1.6 for the iPhone 4.    iOS 6 is a MUCH better operating system, 7 is horribly ugly and has major user interface problems.   I'm hoping 8 is better.


     

    Oh look, you think Apple's latest iOS is also complete and utter trash. What a shock!

     

    Quote:

     Ok, I'll go ahead and say it.   Spending 3 billion dollars on a company that has overpriced, really crappy headphones and speakers and a crappy streaming audio service is flat out stupid.    Apple made a mistake.   


     

    Again, you have no other recourse of logic except Apple's "stupidity". Incredible how the company has survived so long (thats an understatement) while making stupid decisions left and right. Because clearly, there was no reasoning behind the buy-out at all, it was just "stupid". 

     

    Quote:

      It's certainly better than what you get with Apple. Samsung - makes an attempt to make devices water resistant. Apple - puts liquid contact indicators on devices so they can void your warranty.


     

    Evangelizing Samsung while bashing Apple- what a shock. You DO realize that the water resistance is a big marketing bullet point for Samsung (because the S5 truly has nothing else, and widely considered a disappointment) and that they didn't make that design choice because they love you so much, right? No, you don't. 

     

    Quote:

     So, here's the problem with that:  Apple was here before. Back in the early '80s, Apple had damn close to 50% marketshare in microcomputers.  But this funny thing happened, prices for other computers started dropping.  Apple said "that's ok, we'll take the high end" and kept prices high.


     

    "It's the 90s all over again"- predicting doom for Apple using a tired and shitty analogy, how shocking.

     

    Quote:

     Actually, most people do care a bit, they're not happy with Apple for taking 30%. And they shouldn't be, it's highway robbery.  Apple does literally nothing, and takes 30%.  I know many of you are complete Apple fanbois, but try to get some objective concept of what's going on here.  First Apple releases a closed platform that we have to hack to be able to run so we can run software on our own devices without Apple's approval.  Then Apple comes out with this app store...


     

    Ah, there we go- the "iOS is shit because it isn't open" post. Was waiting for that one. Amazing how iOS has MUCH more developer support than another platform with much higher marketshare, and has paid out close to 5X more to developers. "Highway robbery" indeed. The thing is, if you wanted to make sure you didnt make a complete fool out of yourself, you would have double-checked what Google takes from the playstore, you know, to make sure it wasnt the EXACT SAME percentage that Apple takes (it is). Of course you did not, because being informed is not something that concerns you when making all your useless statements. And Apple fanbois? Really? How old are you? Oh right, you're an "IT professional" as you keep reminding us. Yeah, Apple clearly should have taken your route of making iOS a malware infested, insecure shithole, just so you can side-load that porn-app you want to jack off too. Because 1,000,000+ apps and access to every website in the world through their browser is clearly not enough for you. 

     

    Also, you don't think that Apple's success in the enterprise and education, and Android utter failure in both of these markets has ANYTHING to do with the security of the platforms, do you? No of course you don't- because you don't think. 

    Quote:

     Not believing it.  Those icons look WAY too good.    Apple's been crapping it up so much lately that there's no way they're going to use icons that look that nice.


     

    Apple "crapping it up so much lately".

     

    Quote:

     We had no choice.  The security hole forced it.   If 6.1.6 were available on my devices, you'd better believe I'd upgrade from 7 to 6 in a heartbeat.   7 is incredibly ugly, and has less functionality.  It's the first release of iOS that's making me seriously consider Android for my next phone.


     

    "Considering Android?" What a shocker. The tired, shitty line trolls use when they try to pretend they like Apple but the company is disappointing them. 

     

    I can go on and on. Your posts make it clear that you have absolutely no level-headedness about any aspect pertaining to Apple, and your opinions are not colored with a shred of common sense or facts. What I don't get is how trolls like you spend so much of their time posting about a company and products they hate so much. Everyone needs a hobby I guess, but yours is particularly pathetic. And so many of these self-titled "IT professionals" have their head shoved far, far up their asses. Buy your magical Android device, instead of fantasizing about it, so you can spare us from more of your utter ignorance. I hope you don't actually have paying clients, because you seem to be utterly deluded about every facet of technology and software.

  • Reply 19 of 41
    solipsismxsolipsismx Posts: 19,566member
    mstone wrote: »
    What do you attach the other end of that skinny cable to? 

    This is the most common type of cable, the loop, but note this is a ridiculous demo as the cable could easily be removed from the table without breaking anything. That said, I've done that with my MBP knowing that it could be easily removed but if I was in a public place and needed to use the bathroom for a minute it's highly unlikely a thief would bother after seeing the lock and cable.


    [VIDEO]
  • Reply 20 of 41
    jungmarkjungmark Posts: 6,926member
    Once again [@]Slurpy[/@] brightens my day by taking the trolls out with the trash.
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