WAN Show: Mac Pro Teardowns & Tech Supply Chain Issues

The New Mac Pro Teardown

Repairability vs. Limitations

• The Mac Pro received a 9/10 score for repairability from iFixit, highlighting its modular design and easy-to-access internal components.
• Important points of praise include the tool-less internal access, contact-based connections for case components, and simple modularity for power supplies and I/O.

The "T2 Chip" Controversy

• The non-user replaceable SSD is a major drawback, as it is bound to the T2 chip.
• This design effectively prevents users from performing their own storage upgrades or data recovery in case of hardware failure.
• It is speculated that this move is a long-term strategy to eliminate the Hackintosh community by locking down boot drive hardware.

Tech Ethics and Global Supply Chains

Cobalt Mining Lawsuit

• Apple, Google, Microsoft, Dell, and Tesla are facing a landmark class-action lawsuit for allegedly aiding and abetting child labor in cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• These companies maintain policies against child labor, but critics argue these policies are ignored to protect profit margins and secure cheap materials.

"The failure to actually implement these policies to stop forced child labor in cobalt mining is an intentional act to avoid ending the windfall of getting cheap cobalt."

Data Privacy Concerns

• A recent New York Times exposé highlighted the massive location tracking industry, where billions of data points are collected and sold legally.
• There is currently no federal law limiting the trade of this information, leading to massive privacy risks for the average consumer.

Announcements & Tidbits

• Floatplane officially launched its beta, experiencing high traffic, some growing pains, and a very positive reception from creators.
• New merchandise, including the Stealth Hoodie, is back in stock at the LTT store.
• The team discusses the upcoming universal smart home standard involving Apple, Amazon, Google, IKEA, and Samsung.