[walterbell]

T2 is exclusively under Apple control, without dependency on a third party (e.g. Intel, Management Engine, Absolute).

The functionality of different T2 generations has been documented by Apple and security researchers.

T2 included Activation Lock / Anti-Theft features.

[altairprime]

So, to confirm: Apple has no involvement with LoJack / Absolute; but you’ve included them because .. they have a better-known anti-theft system?

[walterbell]

Apple implemented an anti-theft system under their own control, even when shipping x86 platforms.

Any other x86 OEM could have done the same, instead of handing control to 3rd-party CompuTrace / LoJack / Absolute.

As HP says in the document at the start of this sub-thread:

  If the [Absolute] product is currently enabled, the risk is someone else is in a position to lock the system, wipe the drive and/or retrieve files.

[altairprime]

> even when shipping x86 platforms

Could you say more on why x86 a focus of your reply? Absolute is supported on ARM PC laptops as well, so it’s unclear how to interpret x86 here.

[walterbell]

Original comment said:

> CompuTrace has been shipped by every major x86 PC OEM for decades

UEFI-enabled "ARM PC" laptops are new for 2024 with ex-Apple Qualcomm/Nuvia/Oryon. Prior Arm-based devices did not provide UEFI runtime services for persistent manipulation of host operating systems. Windows 11 for Arm PCs was just released in November 2024.

x86 PC platforms provide decades of history to compare OEM anti-theft policies.