iMac Pro and 2018 MacBook Pro Systems Must Pass Apple Diagnostics to Function After Certain Repairs [Updated]

[Quu]

I know people still using MacBook Pro's today that came out in 2009-2010. Machines Apple won't repair or service now. Heck they won't even service the 2011 models now.

So third party repair is your only option for those or doing it yourself. It isn't so uncommon to buy a new screen on ebay and fit it yourself or change a logic board to keep a machine running for 1/50th the price of a new one.

So this is real disheartening.

 

[lkrupp]

Sounds futuristic and all, but considering I still regularly use technology from 20 years ago which sometimes requires maintenance and repair, this sounds like a horrible ecological choice on Apple's part.

At the minimum, I hope there is a way to disable these kinds of features when Apple designates them as vintage products.

Yeah, well, you can always file a class action lawsuit, right?

 

[fmillion]

Can't wait for Louis Rossmann's rant video on this.

Not sarcasm. That guy is a repair genius and is a huge champion for right-to-repair, and his opinionated rant videos are quite fun to watch because he gets it.

 

[lkrupp]

Of course, if this wasn’t true, the first time someone bypassed the security by swapping out parts and everyone would be posting: WHY DIDN’T APPLE CONSIDER THIS! THEIR TESTING HAS REALLY GONE DOWN HILL!

Remember, on MacRumors it’s always Apple’s fault.

 

[macrushfan]

Well, looks like I won't be buying new Macs. The anti-consumer measures and excessively priced hardware have done it.

I haven't bought a new mac post 2012 since they decided to solder memory. The Mac is in a sad state these days but hey we get new emojis.

 

[Partron22]

It's nice of Apple to be so encouraging to those of us slipping away from their platforms.

Right to Repair?

 

[aaronhead14]

This is ridiculous. Apple, the moment i pay you for one of your products, it's MINE; and I reserve the right to have ANYONE I CHOOSE repair it. This is authoritarian, and anti-freedom. Shame on you.

 

[oneMadRssn]

Now, more than ever, we need to legislate a right to repair in most states: https://ifixit.org/ and https://repair.org/stand-up/ have ways you can help.

 

[Defthand]

It's bad enough that Apple doesn't enable others to perform out-of-warranty repairs. Apple withholds technical documentation and OEM parts. This new requirement is an outrage. It makes their services a monopoly.

Urge your State legislators to embrace Right to Repair laws. Apple continues to redefine greed.

 

[konqerror]

I love how the immediately preceding article is about backdoors inserted with rogue hardware... yet nobody has connected the two. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

 

[windywalks]

So now you can't replace a keyboard or display outside of an AASP or Apple Store.
This is just terrible.

 

[fuchsdh]

What if the reason for the repair is something that prevents backing up your data?

You should already have a backup of your data before the catastrophe occurs.

 

[klerke]

Thank you so much for bringing this article to my attention. As someone who makes a living using pro gear, I cannot sit in a situation where my gear just locks me out.
This article has definitely considering dropping the apple ecosystem, because ditching a 3 year old $5000+ Mac that needs a simple repair, is just not making economical sense.
The MacBook pros I’ve owned, have gone though a lot of wear and tear, and always been fixable, even when my the 2 year old son decided to pour milk over the entire keyboard. That was magicallly fixable.
Now what, would I spend another 5000$ on a Mac, that I know for sure the authorized “service” repair wants a premium to fix 2-3year down the road?
I’ll leave the answer up to your imagination.
This post will be on my Facebook group for videographers tomorrow.
I’m appalled.

 

[Spock]

I just watched a documentary about John Deere making repairs impossible without software just like this. I don't like this idea. I think its reasonable on an iPad or an iPhone but I expect to buy a MacBook and have it last a while with me being able to repair it when it is out of warranty. Just changed the battery out on my 2011 MacBook Pro because it swelled up, I may not be able to do that on a future MacBook.

 

[konqerror]

Thank you so much for bringing this article to my attention. As someone who makes a living using pro gear, I cannot sit in a situation where my gear just locks me out.

I’m appalled.

You should go buy a PC... where the CPU is permanently bound to the chipset by Intel Boot Guard, and Bitlocker/TPM/Windows Automatic Encryption binds your hard drive's data encryption to the motherboard.

People should learn about industry trends before assuming something is Apple-only.

 

[sw1tcher]

Apple's diagnostic suite is limited to internal use by Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers, as part of what is called the Apple Service Toolkit. As a result, independent repair shops without Apple certification may be unable to repair certain parts on the iMac Pro and 2018 MacBook Pro.

Moreover, when the iMac Pro and 2018 MacBook Pro are eventually classified as vintage products, meaning they are no longer eligible for hardware service from Apple, repairs through alternative channels might not be possible.

Another way for Apple to fight against Right to Repair legislation.

 

[adamjackson]

It is a bummer. yes very secure which is good but it's over an hour to the nearest Apple Store or I mail in the machine. I do have a local reseller that can do warranty work but not on the T2 chip.

 

[chucker23n1]

Of course, if this wasn’t true, the first time someone bypassed the security by swapping out parts and everyone would be posting: WHY DIDN’T APPLE CONSIDER THIS! THEIR TESTING HAS REALLY GONE DOWN HILL!

Exactly. Easily replaceable parts become a security hole when you're trying to lock down the system as much as the T2 does. The only question, really, is how Apple handles it for obsolete/vintage products.

 

[Maxx Power]

The only thing left for Apple to do with planned obsolesce is to have a device self destruct on a certain date.

The AppleDon'tCare+ date?

 

[zorinlynx]

You should go buy a PC... where the CPU is permanently bound to the chipset by Intel Boot Guard, and Bitlocker/TPM/Windows Automatic Encryption binds your hard drive's data encryption to the motherboard.

People should learn about industry trends before assuming something is Apple-only.

You can turn all that off on PCs, though. It's optional.

 

[Feenician]

Exactly. Easily replaceable parts become a security hole when you're trying to lock down the system as much as the T2 does. The only question, really, is how Apple handles it for obsolete/vintage products.

One would hope that they "unlock" vintage products with a (optional) firmware update, though you could make a case that the ability to do so is itself a vulnerability.

 

[kemal]

This makes complete sense because third party parts could contain data logging functions. Hate to have a battery spying on me. On another thought, Apple all but admit how profitable their repair business is.

 

[T-R-S]

Everyone who just purchased a $10,000 iMac Pro better get on it and make a ton of dough quick cuz in a blink of an eye it'll be vintage and EOL.
I think it can safely be said that a $10,000 iMac is probably the worst computing solution anyone could possibly dream of.

it all depends on your situation a professional environment - it's no big deal - a guy in his mom's basement surfing for porn - nope its not worth it

 

[Aston441]

Honestly?! I have spent 3500 EUR on a 13 inch MBP that is not as fast as a Dell XPS that costs 1/2 as much. The storage is not upgradable. The memory is not upgradeable. Everything is glued together inside the case - if anything breaks I might as well throw away the laptop and buy a new one.

Now compare to my previous laptop - a 2011 MacBook pro. Everything was upgradeable. I bought it with 4GB RAM and upgrade to 16. It came with 256GB hard disk - I upgraded to a 1TB SSD. I replaced the keyboard when I spilt liquid on it - it cost 30 EUR in parts and I fitted it following an ifixit guide.

Look at where we are!! Out of principle, I honestly don't think my next laptop will be a Mac.

My 2011 MBA is working fine but I wanted to upgrade to a MacBook if they ever get around to fixing the slow processor and bad keyboard. I was going to relegate the MBA to synth/studio work only. Then they dropped OSX support for no reason at all. Windows 10 works perfect still.

Then they think they can get $1700 after tax out of me for a new phone. And $500 for a watch. $1700 for a laptop. Lol. No.

I can afford all those things. You know why I can afford all those things?

Because I don't do stupid stuff with my money like spend $1700 on a phone that they'll "obsolete" someday to try to force more money out of me.

They can stick it.

I bought a house instead. And have nice savings. No more money to Apple. The value is not there and I'm tired of being treated like trash. They go to their fancy parties on their fancy yaughts and LAUGH at us.

 

[A7ibaba]

In simpler words that means after a warranty period expires you can say Hasta La vista to your maxed precious 2018 macbook pro