The Latest Intel CPUs without DRM
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I posted this elsewhere, but I thought that it might be particularly relevant here.
For some time Intel have been including hardware in their CPUs that restricts the freedom of software. This isn't good. It is commonly known as Digital Rights Management, but is better known as Digital Restrictions Management.
I spent a bit of time investigating the 'Advanced Technologies' on Intel chips and two in particular to avoid are Intel TXT (Trusted Execution Technology) and Intel Insider (just check out the responses to the Intel article!)
If you have to get an Intel CPU, and would like to get the most modern one without either TXT or Intel Insider, then choose the following:
Mobile Processor: Intel® Core™ i3-2370M Processor (3M Cache, 2.40 GHz)
Desktop Processor: Intel® Core™ i3-2130 Processor (3M Cache, 3.40 GHz)
If for some reason these chips just aren't fast enough, and you have to get an Intel, then the most modern CPU without TXT but (unfortunately) with Intel Insider is below:
Mobile Processor: Intel® Core™ i5-3210M Processor (3M Cache, up to 3.10 GHz) BGA
Desktop Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-3930K Processor (12M Cache, up to 3.80 GHz)
Be careful! The Intel® Core™ i5-3210M Processor (3M Cache, up to 3.10 GHz, rPGA has Intel Insider!
The i7-3930 is not the most modern, but is the most reasonably priced, at about $580. For the very most modern Desktop CPU from Intel with no TXT but with Intel Insider, then chose the following, at $1000:
Desktop Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-3960X Processor Extreme Edition (15M Cache, up to 3.90 GHz)
Write to Intel. Tell them that you are not happy with their DRM. It won't take a moment. Get your friends to write too!
By the way, if you would like to check whether your hardware supports free software, visit h-node. All hardware listed there works without the need for any proprietary drivers, so you will be sure it works with your system.
Your freedom is important!
Wow! Thanks dimqua!
I had written to Intel to confirm this information before you posted this note, but I hadn't received a reply back by then.
I got my information from Wikipedia, as well as looking at the Intel website. I should have spent more time on the Intel website!
I appreciate the information!
I don't know how this could have happened, as I double checked the information before I posted it. Maybe they have just updated the data on their website. (I was onto their technical support people about this today.)
I am a member!
I'm still investigating this issue although if you want to avoid the Intel Insider we have one mobile solution that will work on the low end: Intel® Pentium® Processor B940
http://ark.intel.com/products/55626/Intel-Pentium-Processor-B940-%282M-Cache-2_00-GHz%29
I'm going to investigate further. From the little research I've done there appears to be no way to avoid Intel Insider. I've only reviewed the Intel i3's thus far.
I couldn't find any info on these so they may be OK:
i3-2340UE
i3-2310E
We would need to confirm this. Intel's site doesn't confirm it has or does not have Intel Insider. These don't have the "Trusted Execution Technology".
I am a member!
I've all but confirmed that there is no way to avoid Intel Insider in 3rd generation CPUs and 2nd generation i3. The above two CPUs are for embedded systems. I've only checked mobile CPUs.
For mobile CPUs I can confirm the Intel B940 will work though if you want to avoid Intel Insider and "Trusted Execution Technology".
While I'd rather us not offer these processors as an option in the first place there isn't a way to avoid it. If you have any ideas let me know. All things considered it's up to you to simply not use the software which relies on it.
Thanks for looking into this, Chris, and for your suggestion about the B940.
I think Intel must have been updating/correcting their database for the information about their chips on the Intel webpage this past couple of days. I have been making enquiries, too and details on the webpage have changed, I am sure!
As you say, there seems to be no way of getting around Intel Insider, unless you go back a very long way.
Another awful feature that they have is Intel Anti-Theft Technology. It enables Intel to remotely shut down your computer, and stop it from restarting, even if all the data on the hard drive is deleted and reinstalled! Amazingly, they are meant to be able to do this even without an internet connection! They must use some kind of black-magic! :) I have asked Intel for a list of CPUs that support this, and they couldn't help me. I have e-mailed them about it and am waiting to hear. Anti-Theft technology runs on a platform, so perhaps it is also necessary for there to be a motherboard/chipset that supports it too.
The more I have looked into what the latest hardware does, the more appalled I have become. I think in this day and age, newer definitely does not always mean better.
When did this all start going wrong? Which was it, XP or Windows 2000 that was the last Microsoft edition before they really started nailing the consumer?
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