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No DRM for Apple in Intel-based Macs
JWeinraub writes "OfB is reporting that, contrary to widely-published and discussed rumors, Apple is not including the controversial Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip in its Intel-based Macs. An anonymous registered Apple developer claims that the Apple x86 test boxes do not have DRM or TCPA components." From the article: "As to why those with access to the kits have been quiet concerning the claims, our source said, 'you can rest assured that Apple is keeping very close tabs on those of us who have them.' The kits are only available to those who accept a non-disclosure agreement."
Which is more or less what Microsft relied on with the Xbox- they had a rudimentary protection scheme (cracked very quickly) that has kept MOST users from using commodity hardware as a Windows PC, even though that use would be quite easy. In fact, to this day no one has yet managed to get Windows XP or any other version of Windows running on an Xbox, which is quite an accomplishment, considering the Apple boxes were running XP the day they were relesaed. IMHO--all this "security" is so much shouting at the wind- it's pretty unlikely they're going to be able to keep people from porting osx to commodity hardware indefinitely- the lower-level kernel stuff is all there for Free BSD and it should be possible to hack around whatever they've put in.