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Apple Could Use ARM Coprocessors for Three Updated Mac Models (techcrunch.com)

Posted by msmash on from the up-next dept.

According to a Bloomberg report, Apple could be working on three new Mac models for this year. From a report: All three of them could feature an ARM coprocessor to improve security. Apple isn't switching to ARM chipsets altogether. There will still be an Intel CPU in every Mac, but with a second ARM processor. Currently, the MacBook Pro features a T1 chip while the iMac Pro features a T2 chip. On the MacBook Pro, the ARM coprocessor handles the Touch ID sensor and the Touch Bar. This way, your fingerprint is never stored on your laptop's SSD drive -- it remains on the T1 secure enclave. The Intel CPU only gets a positive response when a fingerprint is validated. The iMac Pro goes one step further and uses the T2 to replace many discrete controllers. The T2 controls your stereo speakers, your internal microphone, the fans, the camera and internal storage.

3 of 119 comments (clear)

  1. Huh? Why not switch from Intel to AMD? by blind+biker · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Apple could kill Meltdown and still have perfect Intel compatibility by just using AMD. I am not necessarily saying they should not have the ARM coprocessor, just that using AMD instead of Intel would increase security drastically. Also because AMD doesn't have the management Engine. They have something equivalent, but that doesn't have a full IP stack and other "niceties" like that.

    --
    "The agriculture ministry is not in charge of Gundam" - Japanese ministry official.
  2. There goes Hackintosh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I highly suspect that this change will render hardware compatibility with off the shelf components a thing of the past for Apple (again).

    This means no more Hackintosh should a future OSX require this chip be in place.

  3. Re:Hackintosh by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Interesting way to make hackintosh machines more difficult to build, but an arm core can be emulated with qemu.

    Nice try.

    macOS will still have to install on the dozens of Mac models WITHOUT an ARM coprocessor; so, for the next foreseeable while, that paranoid fantasy will remain just that.