Apple's Proprietary Software Locks Kill Independent Repair on New MacBook Pros

Post by awakeasleep » Fri, Oct 05, 2018, 1:28 AM UTC

Rjevski wrote: post #12

floatingatoll wrote: post #8

This is an excellent step for protecting MacBook Pro users against hardware invasions (such as US and China border authorities). If you trust the user to replace hardware, you permit the user’s hardware to be altered by malicious actors. By restricting final approval of hardware replacement to a vetted subset of all humanity, you ensure that it’s vastly more difficult for the vast majority of malicious humanity. Yes,…

Wouldn't state actors be able to steal the software used by Apple to re-enable the software? With a network of thousands of "Apple Authorized Service Providers" there's gotta be leaks (that is, if state actors didn't have access to Apple's own internal systems).

Post by ams6110 » Fri, Oct 05, 2018, 1:31 AM UTC

threeseed wrote: post #23

paxy wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The number of users who simply want/need cheaper repairs and upgrades dwarfs those who are at risk of getting their hardware bugged by state-sponsored actors. And considering these laptops are made in China in the first place, any assurances of security are already moot. If security was the primary concern, Apple would sell this as a separate model variant (manufactured in the USA) and charge a lot more for it.

I also used to believe that privacy was only for spys but I have very quickly changed my position. Gays, minorities, journalists, dissidents, whistleblowers etc are all being targeted and jailed in many countries in the world. And in China it's entire swathes of the general public. And so much of this is directly attributable to lax privacy and security. And I don't know believe that there is a huge market for cheape…

Post by paavoova » Fri, Oct 05, 2018, 1:32 AM UTC

JohnTHaller wrote: post #9

The iMac Pro is similarly locked down. All while Apple fights against Right To Repair legislation.

Post by wemdyjreichert » Fri, Oct 05, 2018, 1:35 AM UTC

crankylinuxuser wrote: post #40

So, with more of this happening, I have a bigger question for HN. Why does used Apple hardware command a premium, even years later? Is this really come down to status? I don't think I need to discuss the anti-user features that Apple does. This crowd is more than aware.

Post by threeseed » Fri, Oct 05, 2018, 1:37 AM UTC

philliphaydon wrote: post #39

threeseed wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I also used to believe that privacy was only for spys but I have very quickly changed my position. Gays, minorities, journalists, dissidents, whistleblowers etc are all being targeted and jailed in many countries in the world. And in China it's entire swathes of the general public. And so much of this is directly attributable to lax privacy and security. And I don't know believe that there is a huge market for cheape…

In Asia you can get an iMac sad upgrade done for $10. You just supply the ssd. If you buy the disk from the shop the margin is tiny. You can get an iPhone screen repaired for peanuts. Apple quoted $190 to do it. Shop did it for $95. Speakers replaced on a MacBook Pro? $45.