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They sell this vendor lock-in "feature" as enhanced security?

• Uvix 2y ago
  Yes. It keeps the board from booting if the firmware is replaced with a version not signed by the board manufacturer (i.e. so an attacker can’t replace it with a version that does nefarious things). Preventing CPU reuse in other boards is just an (unintentional?) side effect.
  • kjs3 2y ago
    The cynic would say the security implications are the side effect, since selling more, new chips is the goal.
    • Uvix 2y ago
      If that was the goal then the CPU would fuse on first boot for any manufacturer’s board, rather than being fused only by Dell boards.