Talk about the “T2” chip of Macbook
Apple T2 security chip is Apple’s second-generation customized Mac chip, it’s also a 64bit chip based on ARM V8, and running the BrigeOS operation system, it improves the security level of Macbook Pro, and used in the 13 and 15 inches models with touch bar.
Apple T2 security chip includes a secure compartment coprocessor that provides a solid foundation for secure boot and encrypted storage. It also integrates multiple independent controllers, including system management controller, audio controller, and solid state drive(SSD) controller. In addition, T2 brings a familiar voice to the MacBook Pro: Hey, Siri. It’s always ready to open an app for you, find a document, play music, or answer your questions.
The T2 chip integrates a range of controllers for Mac computers and makes the coprocessor more specialized. These controllers include a system management controller, a graphics signal processor, an audio controller, an SSD controller, and a Secure Enclave Crypto coprocessor. These independent components are integrated in a single bare chip. What’s more, T2 also can encrypt the flash and do not affect the performance.
The graphics signal processor in T2 provides hardware acceleration for graphics, so the FaceTime HD camera works better, the exposure controlling is improved, the tone rendering is enhanced, what’s more, it can support the auto-exposure and automatic white balance based on face recognition.
We just mentioned T2 can encrypt the flash and do not affect the performance. Why? Because it has a proprietary AES hardware engine that encrypts the data, then writes it to the SSD, and decrypts the data when it is read later.