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Is Intel Readying Centrino for Linux?

Chip giant is testing wireless technology for the alternative OS.

By Tom Krazit, IDG News   

Intel on Tuesday confirmed that it is working on Linux drivers for its new mobile Centrino technology, but devotees of the open-source operating system shouldn't expect to see notebooks featuring the Centrino-Linux combination on store shelves anytime soon.

The Santa Clara, California, chip maker is running Linux drivers in its labs, but whether those drivers make it out of the labs depends on customer demand, said Scott McLaughlin, an Intel spokesperson.

Many servers that run Intel processors use the Linux OS, but a mass market for Linux on desktop and notebook computers has yet to arrive.

Once that market does arrive, Intel will work with system vendors and distributors to validate Centrino for Linux, and will make drivers available to users, McLaughlin said.

Desktop Drivers

On the desktop side, drivers for Pentium 4 processors are included with the Linux distribution chosen by the user, said George Alfs, another Intel spokesperson.

The software vendor, such as Red Hat or Suse Linux, works with Intel to make sure those drivers are included in the operating system, he said.

Centrino is a combination of the new Pentium M processor, a mobile chip set, and an 802.11b wireless Internet access chip.

Intel released the product earlier this month in notebooks from practically every major manufacturer, and the company expects Centrino to carry its flag in the notebook world for the near future.

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