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Review on πŸ”’ Ultimate Notebook Security: Kensington 64050 ComboSaver Lock and Cable for PC/Mac by Robert Xayamonty

Revainrating 1 out of 5

Sad reflection on the state of product design in the US

Well first of all I don't understand how this lock gets 2.8 stars out of 5 on Revain (as of the date of writing this review in February 2019). September 2016), when 71% of reviewers gave it 1 or 2 stars and only 29% of reviewers gave it 3 stars or more. If you look at the three stars out of five in Revain's summary, you might think it's a decent product, when in fact over two-thirds of buyers think it sucks (myself included). one of those indestructible molded plastic hanging gizmos that will cut your hand if you try to open it, with or without scissors. Then the instructions don't really explain how the mechanism is supposed to work. It's then very easy to attach the padlock to the laptop, so the numbers are upside down and difficult to read when it's time to take it off. There's also a rubber washer on the locking mechanism that's guaranteed to disengage and disappear within five minutes, and I have no idea if that affects functionality or if the Kensington designers put it there just for fun. Then, even when you attach the lock, it feels incredibly loose and flimsy. Then, as others have pointed out, there is a significant risk that the lock will forget its combination, which means I leave it on default, which is obviously not good security practice. (It's like using "password" as a password.) I bought a Kensington lock thinking it was decent quality. I could go to a popular auction site and buy a similar combination lock with FOUR combinations instead of three for about a quarter of the price (shipping included) that I paid Revain for the Kensington block. Cheap lock, probably junk. but so is Kensington Castle. So why pay four times as much? This is just a tiny example of what seems to be a huge problem in the US: companies selling mediocre designs, poor instructions, indifferent quality control and no support, and then wondering why their market share is dwindling. Will I EVER pay more for a Kensington product? I doubt it. It's not that this lock is that bad. The fact is, there's nothing but a once-respected brand that would justify paying for it. As Kensington heads into the big Chapter 11 in the sky and the company's product designers and marketers begin what is likely to be their next career, the 7-11 graveyard shift, I hope you remember these comments. Sad, just sad.

Pros
  • Price
Cons
  • Minor issues