MacBooks used to have built-in slots for cable locks that let you tether the laptop to a table leg, which was handy in cafés when you needed to step away for another drink.
Those slots have vanished, but adapters are now available to secure models such as the MacBook Neo, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro.
Only longtime MacBook owners will recall the security slots that once ran along the sides of the chassis. They accepted T‑shaped brackets that were inserted, rotated 90 degrees, and locked in place, typically a simple cable loop that could be wrapped around a table leg in cafés or libraries.
CompuLock has revived the concept with adapters that snap onto a MacBook’s corner or edge, letting you attach a cable lock. The adapters consist of two parts held together by screws that clamp securely to the laptop.
The lineup now includes a version tailored for the MacBook Neo, joining the existing adapters for the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.
These locks have always been low‑security solutions, designed only to deter a quick snatch‑and‑run rather than provide robust protection. I felt comfortable using one in quiet cafés where I could keep an eye on my laptop while fetching another drink, but I would never leave it unattended relying solely on such a device.
At $70 the adapters are pricey, and you’ll still need to purchase a cable lock separately. If you already have an old lock tucked away, it might be worth reviving it.