Apple Kills the Ability to Independently Repair New MacBook Pros, iMac Pro [Report]
LIKE
TWEET
SHARE
PIN
SHARE
POST
MAIL
MORE
Posted October 5, 2018 at 4:55am by iClarified
Apple has reportedly killed the ability to perform independent repair of the new MacBook Pro and iMac Pro. According to internal documents obtained by Motherboard, Apple has introduced software locks that render the computer 'inoperative' unless proprietary Apple 'system configuration' software is run after certain parts are replaced.
The policy will be applied to all Apple computers with the T2 security chip.
The software lock will kick in for any repair which involves replacing a MacBook Pro’s display assembly, logic board, top case (the keyboard, touchpad, and internal housing), and Touch ID board. On iMac Pros, it will kick in if the Logic Board or flash storage are replaced. The computer will only begin functioning again after Apple or a member of one of Apple’s Authorized Service Provider repair program runs diagnostic software called Apple Service Toolkit 2.
"For Macs with the Apple T2 chip, the repair process is not complete for certain parts replacements until the AST 2 System Configuration suite has been run. Failure to perform this step will result in an inoperative system and an incomplete repair," says Apple.
The Apple Service Toolkit and Apple Service Toolkit 2 are only available to persons working at Apple-authorized service facilities. This means that users will no longer able to repair their own MacBook and neither will unauthorized repair shops.
Kyle Wiens, CEO of iFixit, tells Motherboard that "There’s two possible explanations: This is a continued campaign of obsolescence and they want to control the ecosystem and bring all repair into the network they control. Another is security, but I don’t see a security model that doesn’t trust the owner of the device making much sense."
Many states are looking at introduce 'Right to Repair' legislation that would require manufacturers to make parts, repair guides, tools, and diagnostic software available to public. Apple is actively lobbying to block this legislation.
This is what we call dictatorship :). I just can't believe what I am reading. Apple should have a very good reason of taking such a drastic measure. Making more money or having more control (in al sense) on the customer or actually both is in my opinion the real reason.
I am growing really disappointed in the direction apple is taking. Is it really sustainable?
Apple does not seem to give a sh... about its customers anyway.
killing the magsafe, removing very useful ports in its MacBook Pro, etc...
As if Apple were the only company doing this... it’s ultimately up to us - the users - if they can get away with it or not.
Now, now, I’m an super happy 2016 MacBook Pro user, haven’t had a single problem.
I understand that while Apple may have legit reasons to make sure clients are receiving the service they’re paying for, this gives off the impression that they’re simply screwing with us... transparency is golden.
We all knew this was coming. Apple is a great company but to be great business, you need to be greedy, you need to cheat, and apparently Apple thinks you need or screw with your customers. America was founded on the principle that anyone can do anything. We have a country chock-full of do it yourself fixers. Home Depot was built upon the principal of do it yourself as well as fries electronics. Apple could care less about that and they only care about their profit margin. I’ve been debating on buying a new Apple computer, I have my answer. PC is looking really good
Ace, it doesn’t matter what America was founded on, but it for sure as hell wasnt founded on greedy corporations making as much money off the poor without letting any other competition into the country.
This is Apple, it reminds me when they took that jail breaker to court but the court decided that when you own it you could do whatever you want to it
This will hurt a lot of small repair shops and put them out of business
You guys can have this all to yourselves. I'm still rocking with my latest version MacBook Air and I'm still happy with it. As for the greed, it has been mentioned about security purposes so that's a possibility as to why these new computers are programmed to function. Just imagine a fake part trying to be passing off as a real one and attempts to hack a computer if installed. Not to say that something like this could happen, but you never know.
Who’s to say if a tech working at an Apple store can tell if a china small little hack chip has been placed on one of the replacement parts that Apple orders from China? Does Tim Cook personally himself check each and every screen and motherboard and whatever else part that comes into the Usa Apple distro supply chain?