Biometrics / fingerprint readers

Nanobot · 7 Jan 2009 at 16:06

Just out of curiosity, does anyone make use of the fingerprint readers on some laptops, Shuttle cases or USB devices on a regular basis? Are they as reliable/unreliable as some opinions I have read.
The only biometrics I have used are on data centre security doors in places and even they're not reliable, so are they any better on portable devices?

Bry · 7 Jan 2009 at 16:31

they work ok however, they aint great as its not a scanner like on tv/films. Instead you need to swipe your finger over a very small scanner.
Which proves unreliable, often taking multiple swipes

theheyes · 7 Jan 2009 at 16:48

I tried it for a while, you have to make sure you drag your finger across at a consistant speed. That was the trick to mine anyway. It was a HP laptop.

I had another Lenovo laptop and I never finished the set-up program for the fingerprint reader it was that complicated and tedious.

Bobster · 7 Jan 2009 at 16:53

I think the one i use on my work computer is brilliant. I always lock my PC when i am away from my desk so a quick swipe of the finger and it's unlocked again. Saves having to CTRL + ALT + DEL and then type in my stupidly long password.
This is on an Lenovo T43.
All the IBM/Lenovo fingerprint sensors are spot on. Never had any issues with them.

Ben643 · 7 Jan 2009 at 17:21

I've used them a few times. They're not too bad but no where near as cool as the ones you see on films in reality

haha

Deadude · 7 Jan 2009 at 17:40

any cheap ones which is likely what theyll use in laptops suck

costs about £200 for anything decent atm

Benimaru · 8 Jan 2009 at 13:24

Mircosoft use to sell some one was integrated with the keyboard and one was on its own. My friend had them and worked quite well and quickly too, was big enough to just simply place any finger without swiping your finger, only thing it was always emiting a red light.

Not too sure if you can still buy them or not since they're pretty old

nintenjo · 8 Jan 2009 at 13:33

I got a FP read on my laptop.. but the software that controls it all was fair to bloated for what it did.. So i removed it.

It was also unrealiable in the scanning so often needed a second swipe at a more consitence pressure and ultimatly was quicker typing it in

J.B · 8 Jan 2009 at 14:04

I had an MS one and loved it, stored all my website logins and windows login, worked perfectly, until of course MS decided not to release 64bit drivers!

Benimaru · 9 Jan 2009 at 13:37

Wow MS didn't bother making 64bit drivers for the finger print readers!! talk about very short life span, MS doesn't really look after older products (not suprising) and I have to admit it was a nice product