Apple May Use Trusted Platform Module, Preventing Use of OSX On PCs

[Kent Pribbernow]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2137787/security-chip-block-non-macs' target='_blank'>http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2137787/security-chip-block-non-macs</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Apple could use the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip to ensure that only Mac computers can run its OS X operating system, according to a news analysis from Gartner. The chip is used to securely store and encrypt information. Because each chip has a unique identifier code, it could also be used to distinguish a Mac computer from a model made by Dell or any other Windows vendor."</i><br /><br />This has been one of my biggest questions surrounding Apple's move to Intel. And I suspect there will be even deeper measures preventing use of OSX on generic PC hardware, such as using a proprietary motherboard design. I highly doubt Apple will choose standard Intel motherboards in its upcoming Mac-Intel products, though I could be wrong.

[James Fee]

oh I think they will use off the shelf intel products. Its much cheaper for them to do so and so easy to limit OS X to only their hardware with just a simple change to that intel bios.

A prediction I'll make is Apple will advertise the ability to triple boot OS's on their hardware.

[Kent Pribbernow]

A prediction I'll make is Apple will advertise the ability to triple boot OS's on their hardware.

And I sit by eagerly waiting with my Gold card in hand, come that fateful day. Unfortunately in the meantime I and a lot of other folks are kind of screwed. For example, I was planning on upgrading from my mini to an entry level PowerMac G5, solely as an interim device (I just ordered a 20" Cinema display). And what did Apple do today??? They killed off the very model I was likely going to buy next month. So now the PowerMac line starts off at a saucy two grand! Yikes!

So now it's either stick with the Mini (which is underpowered for my use), or pony up two grand on a dying architecture. Unless I start looking for some bargain basement PowerMac deals, there aren't many options open to me. :(

[Jason Eaton]

They killed off the very model I was likely going to buy next month. So now the PowerMac line starts off at a saucy two grand! Yikes!

HEADS UP!

If you can get by the 'refurb' stigma, check out the sales section at Apple. Something that is a good deal (IMO) is a Power Mac G5 DUAL 1.8GHz/ 256MB/ 80G/ SuperDrive/ PCI/ GeFr5200/ GigE/ 56K. Link for Direct (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/71302/wo/4b7fNCgnKBdP2yXZTR21Vfm1bS3/1.0.0.11.1.0.6.7.3.5.1.1.4.1.5.1.1.5.0)

Yeah it is light on ram but the price drops down to $1,499 USD with free shipping.

For other 'refurb' deals check out Apple Store Specials (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/71302/wo/4b7fNCgnKBdP2yXZTR21Vfm1bS3/0.0.11.1.0.6.63.0.0.0.0.0.0.3.1.1.0?88,63)

Drop the price further by offering up the mini for sale! (Which one did you get and what does it have in it?)

[Kent Pribbernow]

If you can get by the 'refurb' stigma, check out the sales section at Apple. Something that is a good deal (IMO) is a Power Mac G5 DUAL 1.8GHz/ 256MB/ 80G/ SuperDrive/ PCI/ GeFr5200/ GigE/ 56K. Link for Direct (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/71302/wo/4b7fNCgnKBdP2yXZTR21Vfm1bS3/1.0.0.11.1.0.6.7.3.5.1.1.4.1.5.1.1.5.0)

Thanks, that's something I can keep in mind. I don't plan on buying for at least another month (gotta clear off my credit card first). It's possible there may even still be some entry-level G5s floating around retail channels at that time.

Drop the price further by offering up the mini for sale! (Which one did you get and what does it have in it?)

I have the low-end model with SuperDrive. The only caveat is that it has a mere 256MB of RAM...which is horribly inefficient. A simple $50 RAM upgrade to 512MB can fix that. The only reason I haven't done so already is because I wasn't 100% certain I would keep the Mini. Even now I'm tossing around my options; whether I should just slap more RAM in here and keep the bloody thing....or ebay it and go for a PowerMac.