The Online Family answers:

There is a way to lock laptops when you're working from a hotel, satellite office, cafe, or even when your family is on vacation and your laptop is sitting back at home. Laptop locks are similar to cable bike locks. A cable is attached to your computer, and then looped around an anchored structure and secured -- just like how you weave a chain lock through a bike rack. Some desks even come with holes in them for this purpose. You can find laptop locks at popular computer stores. Although any lock can be broken by a determined thief, it's still true that an ounce of prevention is better than nothing. To play it extra safe, don't leave your laptop unattended when in public, and tuck it away in a locked file drawer or closet when you're away.