It’s undeniable that laptops are extremely versatile work tools in today’s modern world, and that’s mainly thanks to their portability, which ultimately allows laptop users like business workers and students to work digitally anytime and anywhere. However, with a laptop’s portability also comes the risk of getting your laptop stolen, as most laptops don’t feature any sort of built-in security method against theft. According to recent statistics, a laptop is stolen every 53 seconds, which basically equates to around 1,440 laptops getting stolen every single day, for which 98% of all stolen laptops are never recovered. That’s essentially because approximately half of the laptops on the market do not have any sort of built-in lock for ensuring the device’s security (including Apple laptops, which are the number one stolen device on a global scale), as there’s no option to use a Kensington cable or a similar security solution because most laptop manufacturers nowadays mainly focus on making their laptops thinner and lighter, so they don’t include any built-in security options to ultimately ensure their laptop’s portability. Nevertheless, a newly announced product called LapLok developed by TechLok Solutions aims to revolutionize the way one’s laptop is protected from potential theft.
LapLok’s main goal is to combat grab-and-go theft by offering laptop users a simple and convenient security solution that can ultimately keep one’s laptop perfectly secure and protected from potential thieves, no matter where you decide to work with it.
WHO IS TechLok Solutions?
TechLok Solutions is a cutting-edge computer security company that accounts for over 20 years of anti-theft and security experience. The company was founded in 2018 by father-son duo of seasoned entrepreneurs, Paul and Ryan Angott, who have secured a monetary contribution from the state of MI in addition to self-funding their laptop security product, called the LapLok.
The dad, Paul Angott, who was the inventor of the LapLok has an honorary Ph.D. and was voted Entrepreneur of the Year in Michigan in 2011. He holds 42 patents and has successfully sold over $100 Million of his patented products in his career including several other security products.
The son, Ryan Angott, who’s the company’s Co-Founder, President, and CEO originally worked in the cyber security industry for around 8 years, for which he now lends all of his past experience in sales and marketing to his dad’s invention. Ryan has also sold over $24 Million dollars of complex security software during the last 6 years.
Now, it is estimated that there are approximately two billion laptops in circulation in the world, and that laptop loss or theft costs businesses around $6 billion annually just in the US alone. Obviously, the loss or theft of a laptop puts any company- and/or personal-data stored in a laptop at risk. Public places like coffee shops, cafés, and restaurants are the most likely locations for laptop theft.
On top of the lack of security that comes with owning a laptop, there has also been a noticeable increase of remote workers worldwide., for which more than 70% of American companies employ at least one remote worker. As such, this new laptop security device is crucial to protect laptop users, their laptops, and any personal information they have stored on them from potential theft.
According to Ryan, “modern problems require modern solutions. The four secure walls of the office are gone forever in most businesses. With cyber security and data privacy at an all-time high, we saw the need for our secure solution.”
Ryan also mentioned that “with the work from anywhere movement skyrocketing, airports, cafes, and shared workspaces have all become hotbeds for laptop theft. We designed the LapLok to serve as your pocket-sized security guard. LapLok allows users to work calmly and confidently with the peace of mind of knowing your device and data aren’t going anywhere, even if you step away for a few minutes here and there.”
TechLok Solutions’ mission is to provide an elegant, advanced, and effective security solution that can give any laptop users on-the-go the ultimate peace of mind when it comes to their laptop’s security.
In other words, the LapLok was developed for anyone choosing to work or use their laptops in public spaces, from employees working remotely to students, digital nomads, and even people that enjoy spending time relaxing in a coffee shop.
WHAT IS THE LAPLOK?
Essentially, the LapLok is a portable, pocket-sized anti-theft security guard that’s designed to keep a user’s laptop perfectly secure, anytime and anywhere. The device is compact, lightweight, noticeably strong and sturdy, and also fairly easy to use.
Featuring a reasonably compact size, the LapLok is just slightly larger than a full-sized smartphone, so the device is quite easy to carry inside a backpack, bag, and possibly even inside your laptop’s case as long as you have some space available.
On top of its compact form, the LapLok also features an extremely durable and sturdy construction, as the device is built out of ultra-strong materials that are heavy-duty enough to withstand the test of would-be thieves.
More specifically, the device’s body combines a aircraft aluminum outer shell for it’s two sliding hinge locks together with a super-sturdy vertical bar made of hardened steel that works as the core structure of the device’s adjustable locking-mechanism.
Note that the LapLok’s hinge locks are rated to have a rubber gripping force of 100 lbs. per square inch.
The main device also comes together with a permanent self-adhesive razor-thin steel mounting arm strip equipped with a locking-hole on one end (which the LapLok’s 2 hinge locks then hold securely in place to prevent theft) and an adhesive pad (which comes protected by 3M tape) on the other end that’s designed to stay permanently mounted onto the bottom-side of a user’s laptop thanks to a Primer 94 coating which creates a super smooth surface.
Users are also provided with a parking tab laptop accessory that, once attached to their laptop, allows that same mounting arm to be folded back under their laptop in order to prevent it from hanging out when the LapLok is not being used.
The kit also includes a set of four (x4) rubberized feet for their laptop that prevents any wobbling for occurring whenever they’re using their laptop while having it secured by the LapLok.
It’s also worth mentioning that specifically for users who don’t want to have their laptop attached with a locking arm under it, you’ll be happy to know that the company is also working on a prototype model of the LapLok called “Port Lock” that will essentially work as a security arm which will go into a dedicated lock slot as a way to replace the LapLok’s dedicated locking arm.
The LapLok also features an intelligent software-enabled password management system in which users can input a personal 3-digit or 4-digit passcode whenever they need to unlock the LapLok to move or store their laptop. Passcodes can easily be configured as well as managed / changed through the LapLok’s password system.
Additionally, the LapLok’s intelligent design also integrates a built-in tamper-proof alarm that goes up to 100 decibels in case of an attempted theft. Users can set their LapLok’s alarm volume to either high, medium, low volume, or ultimately set it to Off, depending on their personal needs and/or location.
HOW DOES THE LAPLOK WORK?
Once again, the LapLok is designed to simple and easy to use, but still super effective in keeping one’s laptop secure.
All that a user has to do is to attach the kit’s permanent steel mounting arm strip to the bottom of their laptop, which they only require to hold it in for 30 seconds and then let it cure overnight, or if possible, a full-day, meaning 24 hours.
Once that part is done, that steel arm strip can be slipped at any time into the LapLok’s latching port, for which the device is then ready for use.
Then, to lock their LapLok, users simply have to press down on the device’s leverage clamp for an ultra-tight gripping force onto to the table.
Finally, the user then sets their 3 or 4-digit pin on the keypad to arm the device’s alarm.
Embedded below is the company’s official video guide on how to set up the LapLok:
WHAT ARE TECHLOK’S FUTURE PLANS FOR THE LAPLOK?
While the LapLok is expected to have pre-launch sales beginning in May, the LapLok is already available through crowdfunding by pledging a minimum of $75 to TechLok Solutions’ Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign (40% off its future retailing price of $120), from which will get you an early-bird Productivity Pack that includes the LapLok, a BagLok accessory for securing a briefcase or other bag to the LapLok, plus a phone holster.
With its competitive price, LapLok is an affordable solution for businesses and people that need to protect their laptop investments.
It’s worth noting that the company will be utilizing all the raised funds from its Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign to further invest in the future manufacturing of the device.
Response to the LapLok’s announcement has been great for the company, with big box retailers already interested in the product’s future full-scale release.
On a side note, it’s also worth mentioning that the company is also planning on releasing a second-generation of the device called LapLok Pro, which will have integrated smart Bluetooth technology to allow users to set the device’s alarm volume and also be notified via text their smartphone if their device is tampered with.
Furthermore, they’re also planning on releasing other next-generation models of the device, currently named as the “Lite”, the “Student”, and other designer versions.
For more information about the LapLok, head over to TechLok Solutions’ official product page of the device, where you can follow up with any updates.
