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Centrino-based Linux Laptops

Posted by michael on from the tux-inside dept.

sebFlyte writes "Intel has lifted its ban on Linux-based laptops carrying its Centrino brand... It obviously makes very little difference technically what name is on the outside of the box, but does this represent a major philosophical shift for the chipmaker, or are they just leaping upon the nearest bandwagon in pursuit of a few extra bucks?"

5 of 316 comments (clear)

  1. Not just Centrino brand... by teaeg · · Score: 5, Informative

    Support for the wireless networking, the new a/b/g thing, is coming whithin 30 days. This is according to the news.com report here http://news.com.com/Intel+lets+Linux+into+Centrino +camp/2100-7344_3-5542514.html

    --
    A disgruntled economist
  2. Re:Where's The Drivers? by pyros · · Score: 4, Informative
    I don't really care why, I just want open source drivers for those chipsets so I can automagically get wireless working on centrino laptops.

    You mean for the 2100 and 2200 chipsets?

  3. Re:No excuse by DenDave · · Score: 5, Informative
    Actually Intel reports a pretty interesting reason for the "ban" and also as to why they now allow it..


    Karen Regis, manager of mobile programs and promotions at the chipmaker said the reason for the change was that with the release of the 2.6.8 Linux kernel, the open source operating system's power management abilities now meet Intel's requirements for Centrino notebook battery life.


    --
    -if at first you don't succeed, stay the heck away from paragliding.
  4. Re:No excuse by pyros · · Score: 4, Informative

    HP has been selling the nx5000 with Suse Pro 9.1 preinstalled for months. Granted, they say the Intel Pro wireless isn't supported, but Intel has drivers for these cards at ipw2100.sf.net and ipw2200.sf.net. I believe the drivers are open source. So the only thing left is the multibay DVD+RW. But power management should work out of the box, I believe.

  5. WLAN drivers by wertarbyte · · Score: 4, Informative

    For some time now, linux drivers for the ipw2200 and older ipw2200 wlan chipsets have been usable. ipw2200 is now moving towards 1.0, beginning with a feature freeze.

    --
    Life is just nature's way of keeping meat fresh.