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Fingerprint scanner will be incorporated in Apple laptop

  • Yes

    Votes: 20 24.7%
  • No

    Votes: 61 75.3%

  • Total voters
    81

yudilks

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jan 30, 2006
227
15
Hi, I saw lots of Windows based laptop are incorporating fingerprint scanner as one of extra security features... Will Apple follow this trail as well? What do you think?
 

mkrishnan

Moderator emeritus
Jan 9, 2004
29,776
15
Grand Rapids, MI, USA
I think it's a great idea. And given that the keychain / password infrastructure on OS X is so much better than it is on XP, it seems like a great fit. I'd really like to see it.
 

Pressure

macrumors 603
May 30, 2006
5,182
1,545
Denmark
Why clutter up a great design?

Beauty resides in simplicity.

If it ever were to be implemented I hope it can be integrated in the touch pad. Besides, it's too easy to bypass unless the fingerprint were hard-coded into a motherboard chip.

Why linger on old technology when you can look forward (as Apple has a record of doing).
I could see a retina scan be more likely as the notebooks already have implemented a camera (although we can discuss how secure that is).
 

mkrishnan

Moderator emeritus
Jan 9, 2004
29,776
15
Grand Rapids, MI, USA
If it ever were to be implemented I hope it can be integrated in the touch pad. Besides, it's too easy to bypass unless the fingerprint were hard-coded into a motherboard chip.

If the fingerprint scanning is incorporated into the current filevault scenario, why would it be easy to bypass? Filevault isn't easy to bypass now, and the fingerprint removes the avenue of stealing the password itself.
 

PlaceofDis

macrumors Core
Jan 6, 2004
19,241
6
If the fingerprint scanning is incorporated into the current filevault scenario, why would it be easy to bypass? Filevault isn't easy to bypass now, and the fingerprint removes the avenue of stealing the password itself.

but FileVault is a bit buggy as it is right now at least.

if this were to ever to incorporated it would have to be imbedded in the trackpad or some such. perhaps the side - an unnoticeable location at the least.

but in all honesty i don't see them doing this, even if it were hardwired to the firmware that it was needed on boot or whatever, it just seems very niche and unneeded at this point in time.
 

geehk

macrumors newbie
Nov 28, 2006
25
0
232172.gif


Who Knows! ;)
 

spicyapple

macrumors 68000
Jul 20, 2006
1,724
1
In addition to stealing your password, I will also steal your thumb. :)

luv ya bunches! xoxoxo
 

Nym

macrumors 6502a
Oct 4, 2006
607
0
Porto, Portugal
That'd be a great idea IMO, the fingerprint recognition panel didn't have to be noticeable, just like the Apple Remote magnet in the iMac, it would just be a sensitive area, when you press your finger there, it recognizes your "signature" and voilá :) It looks easier than the retina scan ... and it would be a great acessibility feature for partially disabled people who have trouble typing. uhh, now I was sensitive ;)

Better yet: The fingerprint scan was the Apple logo on the laptop :O and it would glow when scanning your fingerprint!!
(give me a break, too much beer at lunch...)
 

pianoman

macrumors 68000
May 31, 2006
1,963
0
many of the fingerprint scanners on the Windows-based computers let you bypass the fingerprint scanner and type in a password. that makes it just as secure (or insecure, depending on how you look at it) as a password.

i don't think this idea fits with Apple's hardware unless they can hide it on the side. the retina scan idea is cool but probably not feasible - you have to be pretty close to the scanner to get it right and i'd guess people don't want to lean over half their desk to scan their eye when they could simply type in a password.
 

yellow

Moderator emeritus
Oct 21, 2003
16,018
6
Portland, OR
I think it's a great idea until you have to support one.
And then User X has a problem with his profile or whatever and you need to log in as User X, but User X is "too busy" for your time and just gives you the latop and says "fix it". But you cannot log in as User X because unless you chop off his ****ing finger, man you're screwed.
 

Nym

macrumors 6502a
Oct 4, 2006
607
0
Porto, Portugal
Just chop his finger already :D

Of course it has some sticky issues, but it's always that way with brand new technology, however, if anyone can implement it sucessfully.. that's Apple :)
 

mr_matalino

macrumors 6502a
Oct 14, 2005
563
248
Anyone know if there are third party biometric scanners for the Mac? I've seen a few for PC's but none that specifically call for support of the Mac? :confused:
 

Sesshi

macrumors G3
Jun 3, 2006
8,113
1
One Nation Under Gordon
I think it's a great idea until you have to support one.
And then User X has a problem with his profile or whatever and you need to log in as User X, but User X is "too busy" for your time and just gives you the latop and says "fix it". But you cannot log in as User X because unless you chop off his ****ing finger, man you're screwed.

I have fingerprint login for my Sony SZ2VP. You have the option to log on with either fingerprint or password. You can disable password access for certain accounts if you so wish.

At this time it's more a convenience thing than total security, and I've registered separate fingers for separate accounts on the machine so I can choose between Power User and Administrator access. For Administrator access, I also have a password and either can be used.

If it's for real security you use two or three-factor authentication, one of which should involve a piece of hardware that is separate to the computer.
 

yellow

Moderator emeritus
Oct 21, 2003
16,018
6
Portland, OR
I have fingerprint login for my Sony SZ2VP. You have the option to log on with either fingerprint or password. You can disable password access for certain accounts if you so wish.

Unfortunately since this is the ACIO, having his password is not an option.
 

yudilks

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jan 30, 2006
227
15
Hmm, there are many opinions about this.. But I think if Apple can integrate it nicely, and make an option of fingerprint log in only, this will bring the security to the next level... Retina scanning just overkill and impractical for time being IMHO..
 

Buschmaster

macrumors 65816
Feb 12, 2006
1,306
27
Minnesota
That would be kinda cool, but only if it were hidden. Say, like, as in the place of a key on the keyboard or right on the trackpad itself.
 

tjcampbell

macrumors 6502a
Aug 14, 2006
826
0
Vancouver
Apple's security feature

Come on people, there's going to be no fingerprints or retina scans. This is apple, not the IMF. The latest feature will likely be a small slot in which you dip one of your freshly plucked pubes in.
iPube. Think Different.
Actually, i think this would be hilarious. You're in Starbucks on a Sunday next to some couple reading their iKea catalogue and discussing the latest Potang shelving and you stretch out your legs and yank out a curly to securely boot up your MacBook Pro.
Cheers, Tom
 

iMeowbot

macrumors G3
Aug 30, 2003
8,634
0
Maybe Apple can look at it in the future when it really works. As long as these systems can still be bypassed with Play-Doh and gelatine, there are better ideas to explore.

iMBsig.gif
 

yudilks

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jan 30, 2006
227
15
Come on people, there's going to be no fingerprints or retina scans. This is apple, not the IMF. The latest feature will likely be a small slot in which you dip one of your freshly plucked pubes in.
iPube. Think Different.
Actually, i think this would be hilarious. You're in Starbucks on a Sunday next to some couple reading their iKea catalogue and discussing the latest Potang shelving and you stretch out your legs and yank out a curly to securely boot up your MacBook Pro.
Cheers, Tom

OMGG... *speechless*... OMGG
 
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