Existing users, 
....and I haven’t tried it, because to see it working one needs to register and I know from similar offers how difficult it is to get your money back once you’ve parted with it.
Simple scenario I’m wondering about: if I’m a thief and just got my hands on a brand new Powerbook, would I enter my true name and contact details in the user account? LapCop I’m told sends an email compiling that data and others, such as IP and ISP, to the software provider... and it does that once the network settings change. If a thief doesn’t know the password, wouldn’t he install from the MacOS X installlation CD next? What good is LapCop then? Is a Powerbook stolen for the software or the hardware? Even if said thief gets online... what if he’s sitting in Bryant Park (free online access in NY) or at Starbucks? What good is that IP/ISP?
LapCop
recover your stolen Mac
Version: 3.0
Maybe I’m not understanding this thing...
Feedback Type: Commentary
Contributed by: gryphonent Monday, May 09 2005 @ 01:37 AM PDT
Product Platform: MacOSX
Used Product For: Have Not Tried
Recommend Product: NO
Comments
Maybe I’m not understanding this thing... - Bobby T
LapCop's directions recomend setting up a firmware password, which when activated make it impossible to install a new copy of OS X without the password. Essentially the theif would be stuck using the LapCop protected system no matter what (or simply not using the computer)...And I used LapCop with my G3 iBook when I first got it. I had my motherboard replaced by Apple (warranty repair) and LapCop no longer worked (because v2 needed the Motherboard's searial number to be valid, and a replaced motherboard doesn't have a valid #). The author offered me a full refund without me even asking (even though I had been using the product for almost a year). So I would have little worry about not getting your $25 back...
And even if they are using a free ISP, you can still track it down to a degree. If someone continues to actively use it, they will first identify the general area, then it's only a matter of being around that area at the time someone is using it (and another email is actively sent). Plus it would seem fairly likely that someone with a laptop (stolen or not) would eventually bring it to a friend or family member's house & use their internet, and that would make it even easier to narrow down the user...
But in the end it really boils down to: What would you rather have, a posability of tracking down the laptop, or no chance what-so-ever??? Nothing is fool proof, but in the end at least having something will give you a chance...
Thursday, July 20 2006 @ 09:16 AM PDT
Maybe I’m not understanding this thing... - Bobby T
LapCop's directions recomend setting up a firmware password, which when activated make it impossible to install a new copy of OS X without the password. Essentially the theif would be stuck using the LapCop protected system no matter what (or simply not using the computer)...And I used LapCop with my G3 iBook when I first got it. I had my motherboard replaced by Apple (warranty repair) and LapCop no longer worked (because v2 needed the Motherboard's searial number to be valid, and a replaced motherboard doesn't have a valid #). The author offered me a full refund without me even asking (even though I had been using the product for almost a year). So I would have little worry about not getting your $25 back...
And even if they are using a free ISP, you can still track it down to a degree. If someone continues to actively use it, they will first identify the general area, then it's only a matter of being around that area at the time someone is using it (and another email is actively sent). Plus it would seem fairly likely that someone with a laptop (stolen or not) would eventually bring it to a friend or family member's house & use their internet, and that would make it even easier to narrow down the user...
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Thursday, July 20 2006 @ 09:12 AM PDT