Caleb Sasser, the co-founder of Panic, which makes macOS and iOS apps, has tweeted that the iMac Pro features some new Apple custom silicon: the T2 chip, which makes it the most secure Mac desktop ever.
It integrates previously discrete components such as the SMC, ISP for the camera, audio control, SSD control, a secure enclave, and a hardware encryption engine.
“This new chip means storage encryption keys pass from the secure enclave to the hardware encryption engine in-chip — your key never leaves the chip.,” Sasser tweets. “And, they it allows for hardware verification of OS, kernel, boot loader, firmware, etc. (This can be disabled…)”
Apple first started using secure enclave chips with the iPhone starting in 2013 with the iPhone 5s. However, this is the first time similar technology is being used on the iMac.
The rumor mill said the pro all-in-one would include an A10 chip for always-on “Hey Siri” support. I’ve found none of the early reviews mentioning this feature, however.
