[newaccount74]

I think the main reason for using activation lock is to make stolen products worthless. If there's a way to use stolen devices, then they'll be worthwhile to steal.

[PrimeMcFly]

There's a middleground between fully useable and brick though.

Not being able to remove or use the main account and having location history always on would go a long way.

People can be trained not to buy a device where the main account can't be removed or the device can't be factory reset, and having the location unable to be disabled would deter a lot of thieves.

[newaccount74]

I don't want a middle ground, I want stolen devices to be 100% brick until returned to the owner.

If you want to buy & sell used Macs, you need to check them first to see if they are locked. Just like you'd check if the keys work before buying a used car.

[PrimeMcFly]

> I want stolen devices to be 100% brick until returned to the owner.

Which is just contributing to the ewaste problem. What I proposed has now downsides unless you want to be petty.

[newaccount74]

- A stolen device that is 100% brick has zero value, so there is no incentive to steal it.

- A stolen device that can be used with some limitations can be sold for a higher price, so there is a much higher incentive to steal it.

Call me petty all you want, but if you steal my Mac I'd much prefer it to end up in a landfill rather than have the thief make money from it. If they can't sell them, they'll stop stealing them at some point.

[PrimeMcFly]

> A stolen device that is 100% brick has zero value, so there is no incentive to steal it.

Clearly false. The parts still have value.

> A stolen device that can be used with some limitations can be sold for a higher price, so there is a much higher incentive to steal it.

A thief has less incentive to use something that is constantly broadcasting its location in a way that can't be disabled.

> I'd much prefer it to end up in a landfill rather than have the thief make money from it.

Environment be damned, right?

[newaccount74]

>> A stolen device that is 100% brick has zero value, so there is no incentive to steal it.

>Clearly false. The parts still have value.

Yeah, the current implementation of activation lock does not brick 100% of the laptop.

But nevertheless, since the video is about locked Macs being scrapped, the value of the parts must be pretty low.

> Environment be damned, right?

I assume that the environmental impact of stolen Macs being scrapped is going to get lower and lower as thieves realise locked Macbooks have a low resale value.