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Apple will switch to randomized serial numbers in early 2021 (appleinsider.com)
25 points by bobbybidon 1930 days ago
4 comments
ziml77 1929 days ago
Is the number still serial if it's random?
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Jaxkr 1930 days ago
Why? And why only Macs and not iPhones? Is this currently a major privacy issue?
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throwaway2048 1930 days ago
Likely to prevent gleaning of production amounts from serial numbers.
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Nextgrid 1929 days ago
I wonder if it’s to prevent “Hackintosh” machines from connecting to Apple services? Services such as iCloud and iMessage require the machine to have a valid serial, and given the format of them is well-known it’s easy to make a valid serial.
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rasz 1930 days ago
Its a business issue.
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mofosyne 1930 days ago
Assuming base 32 and we have 8char initially. That gives us around 32^8 = 1.099e12 of serial numbers. Might be enough for a while.
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ksec 1929 days ago
Still not seen any convincing argument as to why this is a good thing.
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david-cako 1929 days ago
Maybe a randomized serial number will allow Apple to sell you a product made in America or Europe without you needing to know the difference. Maybe it also grants Apple greater liberties when negotiating with existing suppliers.

What was the story with Fountain (FC) and Fremont (F) anyway?

https://beetstech.com/blog/decode-meaning-behind-apple-seria...

https://9to5mac.com/2013/01/25/apple-lists-quanta-computer-i...

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