Digital recyclers have a hard time breaking into used Macbooks that retail for as much as $3,000. problem? These perfectly good computers are now being sold for scrap because laptops, even if wiped, won’t let anyone other than the owner log in.
Vise It says the problem lies with the Macbook’s T2 security chip (or newer model M series chips that incorporate T2 functionality). Announced in 2018The chip’s security features include encryption of data at rest from TouchID and biometric data.The problem is whether the original owner turned off “Find My” or It was used Erase assistant Before turning on your MacBook, check the chip activation lockInstead, these laptops, worth thousands of dollars, are sold as scrap parts.
“As I predicted years ago, recyclers are being flooded with activation locked T2 MacBooks (15 of them are 2020 M1!) Paranoia,” John Bumstead tweetedRefurbisher.
The Activation Lock on the T2 chip is designed in part to prevent theft and is therefore associated with the “Find My” feature.For example, if a thief stole your key Keeping the MacBook off the coffee shop table while you’re not looking prevents them and their fence prevents them from entering it.
but now legal Second-hand market caught fire as Mac owners innocently filed for Activation Lock A MacBook that turns into a brick when you let go. Vice reports that the original owner of these computers is usually a school or company that has a blanket technology contract with Apple. Refurbishers must obtain login information for each laptop in order to factory reset the laptops for resale, but previous owners rarely respond, Bumstead said. said.
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“Previous owners don’t answer the phone, and a large company that scraps 3000 machines assumes they’ve been destroyed, so have a solution that doesn’t rely on previous owner approval. is important,” Bumstead told Vice.
The T2 chip is included in some Macbook models and some iMacs. According to AppleIn an ideal world, users would factory reset their computers before sending them to refurbishers, but in exchange Bumstead and his colleagues would accept a reduced profit. I am forced.
Update Jan 25, 2023 2:53 ET: This article originally contained inaccurate information about the purpose and limitations of the T2 chip. These have been cleared.
