It is worth noting that the Eikon Mini is a 'swipe' scanner, and thus you'll need to swipe your finger across the reader, as opposed to resting the finger-like on most smartphones that use fingerprint authentication. Unlike passwords or PINs, it leverages a user’s unique friction ridge pattern to establish and confirm his/her identity, which cannot be forgotten, forged or guessed. The best part is that you won't have to install anything to make this fingerprint scanner work - just plug it in, and security is a fingerprint away. Fingerprint biometrics for the security of a password manager program can enhance user experience and security at the same time.

Still, for laptops and other portable Windows 10-powered machines, you'll be absolutely fine. The only issue with the Mini is that you need decent access to a USB port (preferably one on the front panel) on the computer case. USB 2.0 is utilized so you'll be able to insert and use the Eikon Mini on older PCs, as well as new machines rocking USB 3.0 and above. When logging in, Windows 10 will ask for the fingerprint, which will subsequently unlock the PC. You'll be able to improve the security of both your home and work PCs with nothing more than a finger. It's one of the smallest fingerprint readers around, which means portability and the ability to leave the dongle plugged into your laptop. Eikon's Mini is not only affordable, but the fingerprint scanner works well.