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Given that iSight and Facetime HD cameras required drivers and firmware to get running under Linux, I would be positively surprised if the new camera is easier
by cm3 10y ago
Given that iSight and Facetime HD cameras required drivers and firmware to get running under Linux, I would be positively surprised if the new camera is easier to set up, meaning I don't think it works right now. Even the existing camera support isn't 100%, with features like suspend/resume being flaky, all due to it being reverse engineered.
That said, the options for developer laptops has shifted in favor of general x86 computers, including very light-weight machines and ones with mechanical keyboards. If I want to use Linux on it, my first choice wouldn't be a macbook. So, unless you require macos for work, you have have a more diverse variety of laptops to find one that suites you best.
- krastanov 10y agoSure, but the laptops you describe do not have secure enclave. If I want that level of security on Linux what can I do?
- johncolanduoni 10y agoWhat would the enclave do for you if you're running an OS that doesn't support Apple Pay or Touch ID?
- Zoon 10y agoIt is used for the camera too.
- cm3 10y agoOn Thinkpads you can disable the routing of signals of the mic and camera in the firmware. Afterwards, it's not available to the kernel. Whether that's somehow hackable via a UEFI bug I don't know, but there are also laptops with physical switches the mic, wifi and a lid for the camera. Your safest bet is to open it up and disconnect the device, which is less likely to raise alarms on Linux and BSD than it is under macos, I assume.
- justincormack 10y agoBuild your own? Its an ARM chip running a relative of SEL4. Would be an interesting project.