One of the things that hasn't really evolved in the computer industry is the BIOS. Basically they all still look the same as ten years ago but this will soon change as motherboard makers are developing the first motherboards with EFI.
This is a new and more flexible interface that will replace the old legacy BIOS firmware. EFI BIOS is a lot more advanced, it supports colorful graphical interfaces, multiple languages and has mouse support. EFI also supports LAN and will enable motherboard makers to ship motherboards with pre-OS applications like live update, games, instant messenger, media player and a browser.
The only catch is that most older operating systems and even the new Windows Vista don't support EFI yet. Microsoft will add EFI support to the x64 versions of Windows Vista with Service Pack 1.
MSI today released information about an upcoming "EFINITY" P35-Neo3 motherboard that will be their first motherboard with EFI BIOS support. Here are two screenshots of MSI's EFI BIOS:
The MSI P35-Neo3 should be available in February.
MSI P35-Neo3 EFINITY - first motherboard with EFI BIOS
Posted on Wednesday, January 16 2008 @ 17:37 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck