Our laptops at home or in our home office can contain plenty of valuable information. Password protecting the laptop and have a secure password protected space on the hard drive for sensitive file storage is an excellent way to protect that all important data. Any backups should made to password protected and encrypted external storage devices. Keeping all these digital documents secure is a must, as is keeping the laptop safe. The best way to protect our laptops and data is to password protect those files, back them up securely and store the laptop securely in a laptop safe when finished for the day.
There are lots of companies that make safes and security devices, and Yale are probably one of the most well-known, they have been around over 175 years. Their security products, including the locks that you are very familiar with, are available in over 125 countries. You might know Yale best for door locks and padlocks, but they make a lot more than locks, their range of products include smart locks, intruder alarms, safes, security cameras as well as various types of locks, window hinges and padlocks.
Yale have quite a range of diverse safes; free standing safes, wall safes and floor for home and office use. I have been using their Value Laptop Safe, which has a 24 litre capacity and big enough to house a laptop with a 14.5” screen.
In the box:
- Safe
- 2x Mechanical Override Keys
- 4x AA Batteries
- Pack of fixings bolts for securing the safe to wall or floor
- User Manual and Fitting Instructions
The Yale Value Laptop Safe is a relatively inexpensive safe with a steel constructed body. It is designed to fit laptops with up to a 14.5” screen (although my Dell laptop with a 15” screen does fit in). Measuring 20(h)x43(w)x35(d)cm externally with internal measurements of 19(h)x42(w)x30(d)cm it is quite spacious and is finished in black. It is operated with a digital keypad that has 10,000 possible combinations, using a 3-8 digit programmable code (requires 4x AA batteries, supplied) and it can also be opened via the supplied backup key if you forget the code or the keypad runs out of battery power.
This safe feels solid, well made and sturdy and doesn’t take up too much room in the bottom of a wardrobe or cupboard (although it is good practice not to have a safe in the bedroom or kitchen as these are the rooms burglars will usually check for one). It can be floor or wall mounted (or both), the fittings are included, and it is advised that you do securely fix it to the floor or wall. It is very DIY friendly and easy to secure (I personally have it bolted to the floor). There is a fabric “carpet” that is supplied to go inside on the base to protect your belongings (especially as the inside floor will have the bolt heads).
With it securely fixed to the wall or floor, the digital combination will need to be set up. The keypad requires 4x AA batteries. On first use, the digital code needs to be programmed in and this is very easy to do – this is a code of your choosing. The code must be between 3 and 8 digits long (this gives up to a possible 10,000 combinations). The safe also comes with backup keys, DO NOT lock these in the safe as they will be required if the batteries for the keypad run out or you forget the code. There is a time lock feature on the safe which comes into operation after 3 incorrect code entries where you will then be locked out for 20 seconds. After 6 incorrect entries you will be locked out for 6 minutes. There is also a one-touch reset button inside the safe to reset the code.
The safe is constructed from steel and features solid steel internal hinges and as well as two solid steel 15mm locking bolts that retract when the correct code has been entered (or the key is used) and the handle is turned. The LED light indicators are used as follows: Green to open, red for error or low battery warning.
It is quite spacious inside the safe with its 24 litre capacity. It easily houses my laptop and its power supply, as well as A4 documents and various other items.
Overall, I think this is a very good basic safe. It is strong and sturdy, has plenty of room for a laptop and other items and the keypad works well. It is the basic value safe, so it is not fireproof, does not have an audible alarm (Yale do a version of this safe with a 130db alarm) and does not have an insurance rating, but it does keep everything securely locked away.
If you require a safe to hold a large amount of cash or jewellery then this won’t be the safe for you as it has no insurance rating, but for securing your laptop, passports and other documents then it does an excellent job. If you want a certified laptop safe that is insurance rated for cash and other valuables you will be looking at one at least 3 times the cost (rated for £2,000 cash and valuables up to £20,000, you will need to check what your home insurance policy requires).
Before you purchase this or any other safe, there are some things that you need to consider being buying:
- Size of Safe – make a list of what you want to store in it and where you are going to put it, that should make it easier to decide what size safe you need.
- Cash Rating – safes have with various cash ratings, or none at all. You need to decide what you are storing and for what reason. If storing cash and jewellery, your insurance company may require you install a safe with a cash rating of a certain level. Check your insurance policy, these safes generally need to be professional installed.
- Entry Method – do you want a key lock or digital code entry? If you can’t remember pin codes then you might need one with a key lock, if you are always losing keys a pin entry one might suit you better. Or better still, get one with both. Or maybe go a bit more hi-tech and have fingerprint entry.
- Fireproof or Not – not all safes are fireproof. Again, it depends on what you are storing and for what reason. You need to make a decision on whether you go for a value safe such as this or a better fireproof one (they generally offer 30 to 60 minutes of fire protection).
For my uses, and for a lot of users in the home, the Yale Value Laptop Safe is enough for basic needs. It secures my laptop and other items very well, and the price of the safe is very good. If you do need something better, then Yale also offer premium, certified and fireproof safes.
For a basic value laptop safe it performs very well, is secure and is simple to operate. A great addition to any home security measures.
Rating: 4.5/5
RRP: £79.99
For more information or to buy, visit yalehome.co.uk.