That was a dumb failure mode of a certificate check for expired certificates where it didn't handle the server being up but not responding. If you are offline,

That was a dumb failure mode of a certificate check for expired certificates where it didn't handle the server being up but not responding. If you are offline, that check failed silently with no issue. Adding the certificate server to your hosts file fixed the issue. I guarantee you that code has been updated already with the recent updates and anything similar is also under review. It's always easy to Monday morning quarterback about edge cases after they happen :p It absolutely is NOT some sort of "tell" for Apple locking the Mac down. They don't need to - if you want an appliance device they already have that with iOS. There is zero upside for Apple to try to lock the Mac down; it's all negative. Apple can do some dumb things, but they are NOT stupid. Used a Mac since 1986, owned one since 1987 (thanks to my crazy parents - could have had a good used car instead!) and dunno why people love to focus on the negative with Apple but unfortunately it's nothing new.