Last month one of our clients, a prominent Seattle photographer, lost her laptop while flying home from an assignment. Her dilemma reminded us of a few software packages we’ve heard of that attempt to help reunite stolen computers with their rightful owner.

How theft recovery software works.

When a stolen computer is connected to the Internet (using dial-up, WiFi, Ethernet, etc), these utilities attempt to send network information back to a central server. This information can be used to track down which ISP is used for Internet access, and helps law enforcement track down the stolen devices.

Are Apple’s DIY options not juicy enough for you?

If you really like getting deeper into your own Mac hardware repair, you’ll probably love a collection of Fixit Guides created by iFixit.

These guides are for serious do-it-yourself Apple laptop repairs. Each Fixit Guide has detailed disassembly instructions that walk you through the process of easily accessing and replacing components in your PowerBook or iBook. These guides are well written and well illustrated. iFixit has even developed new instruction manuals for Apple’s latest MacBook and MacBook Pros.

If you are the hands on type that likes to troubleshoot and solve your own computer problems, you might want to bookmark Apple’s Do-It-Yourself page.

https://www.apple.com/support/diy/

Pick your Mac and you’ll be taken to a page that lists all the parts Apple considers to be user installable. Instructions are easy to follow and have great up close photos and diagrams. Some older Mac instructions include handy QuickTime tutorials.