1. A method for providing theft protection for an electronic device by a theft protection sub-system, comprising: operating the theft protection sub-system independently of a processor controlling the electronic device; by the theft detection sub-system independent of the processor, detecting an acceleration of the electronic device; generating a theft detection signal only when the acceleration is indicative of a known theft condition; sending the theft detection signal to the processor, wherein the processor is arranged to enter a sleep mode to conserve electrical power consumption by the electronic device and the theft protection sub-system is operable when the processor is in the sleep mode and wherein generating the theft detection signal comprises generating the theft detection signal while the processor is in the sleep mode; and prior to sending the theft detection signal to the processor, using the theft detection sub-system to generate and send a wake up signal to the processor.