In just over a month, Apple is expected to announce macOS 14. How many Intel Macs without T2 chips are likely to be supported? What about their firmware?
T2
T2 and Apple silicon Macs always encrypt the Data volume in internal storage. So why bother with enabling FileVault? And can you do that on external bootable disks?
What should you do if a firmware update goes wrong? Here’s a guide to avoid panic, whether your Mac is Intel, has a T2, or M-series chip, and for Studio Displays.
macOS has changed fundamentally. So has troubleshooting it. Secure Boot, the SSV, and Gatekeeper checks bring changes in strategy.
Is the performance overhead of using APFS Encrypted volumes to store sensitive data a reason for not doing so?
Apple silicon Macs are better-equipped to prevent and deal with disaster. Restoring in DFU mode is extremely unusual, and more powerful than anything you can do with an Intel Mac.
Why can some with Apple silicon Macs create and boot from external disks, while others seem doomed to failure?
This has changed greatly over the last few versions of macOS, and differs between different types of Mac. Here’s an outline.
Why your Mac’s firmware version may not be the latest you expect. What you can do about that, depending on its type.
The rules of firmware updating explained, and their consequences for each type of Mac. How to refresh firmware on a T2, and how to downgrade it in an Apple silicon Mac.
The Eclectic Light Company 