iMac Pro Features Apple’s Custom T2 Chip With Secure Boot Capabilities
The chip is second-generation silicon, building upon the T1 chip in the
latest MacBook Pro with the Touch Bar that authenticates and secures Touch
ID and Apple Pay respectively.
The T2 chip integrates several previously separate components, including the system management controller, image signal processor, audio controller, and SSD controller, for expanded capabilities on the iMac Pro. The T2 chip also has a Secure Enclave coprocessor that makes the iMac Pro even more secure with new encrypted storage and secure boot capabilities.
The settings reveal that users can enable a firmware password to prevent the iMac Pro from starting up from a different hard disk, CD, or DVD without the password. There are also three secure boot options and options to allow or disallow booting from external media devices such as USB and Thunderbolt drives.
“Full security” ensures that only the latest and most secure software can be run. Apple says this mode requires a network connection at the time of software installation. “Medium security” requires verifiable software to boot, but not the latest software, and “no security” lets the operating system boot freely.
iMac Pro became available to order today with 8- to 18-core configurations ranging in price from $4,999 to $13,199 in the United States. 14-core and 18-core models don’t ship for an estimated 6-8 weeks.
