Laptop with Intel IME disabled?

[dryteletubby]

Are there laptops on sale here locally with Intel Management Engine disabled?

 

[86technie]

Doubt so, it is part of Intel system whether laptop or desktop since 2008.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Management_Engine

Unless you go for AMD as they don't have such feature.

 

[cscs3]

No. Is enable by default for Intel.

 

[dryteletubby]

The ime has been reversed engineered. Some companies like dell and system76 has an option to purchase a laptop with ime disabled. Just not available in Singapore as far as I can tell. Amd have a similar system called the platform security processor (psp) and its still a closed source backdoor that I don't want.

 

[Ark Law]

If Dell is offering only 3 6th gen biz-grade laptop models with IME disabled, expect to wait long long for other OEMs to roll out (if ever) IME disabled consumer laptops.

Anyway, there's more to worry about other than just IME...

 

[ArcticCheetah]

If Dell is offering only 3 6th gen biz-grade laptop models with IME disabled, expect to wait long long for other OEMs to roll out (if ever) IME disabled consumer laptops.

Anyway, there's more to worry about other than just IME...

Nope IME is the worst nonsense.
You cannot disable, uninstall or block and it is stuck with the processor
It runs its own network stack independent of operating system

 

[Ark Law]

Nope IME is the worst nonsense.
You cannot disable, uninstall or block and it is stuck with the processor
It runs its own network stack independent of operating system

The worse nonsense, yet what are consumers going to do? Stop using Intel CPUs?

Living in the modern age is all about losing privacy in exchange for increased convenience, it's everywhere and unavoidable.

 

[86technie]

The worse nonsense, yet what are consumers going to do? Stop using Intel CPUs?

Living in the modern age is all about losing privacy in exchange for increased convenience, it's everywhere and unavoidable.

As what I have quote, Intel does have certain tech that
is being forced to be install.
Unless change to AMD, not to mention next year they will
ready their Ryzen based APU.

 

[Ark Law]

As what I have quote, Intel does have certain tech that
is being forced to be install.
Unless change to AMD, not to mention next year they will
ready their Ryzen based APU.

And is AMD's PSP any different from Intel's ME?

 

[86technie]

And is AMD's PSP any different from Intel's ME?

No idea I have not seen AMD PSP.
Is it the same with Intel MEI? I don't know
But for sure Consumer laptop is don't have, business model
some may have but AMD laptop in SG are only 1 or 2 models only.

 

[Ark Law]

I thought all modern AMD CPUs have PSP based on this?

https://libreboot.org/faq.html#amd

 

[ArcticCheetah]

The worse nonsense, yet what are consumers going to do? Stop using Intel CPUs?

Living in the modern age is all about losing privacy in exchange for increased convenience, it's everywhere and unavoidable.

FYI known ME vulnerabilities for Intel ME has been released & not all systems are patched as patches has to be obtained via vendor

 

[86technie]

I thought all modern AMD CPUs have PSP based on this?

https://libreboot.org/faq.html#amd

Yes but up to manufacturer design whether they want to
install it or not.
Not like Intel MEI where it is forced by design and manufacturer
cannot choose not to install.

I owned many AMD notebook from Turion II, Phenom II, AMD APU.
Have not seen one that have PSP enabled by default.

 

[86technie]

FYI known ME vulnerabilities for Intel ME has been released & not all systems are patched as patches has to be obtained via vendor

This I agree, there are latest MEI driver but it won't allow you to install
the driver from Intel.
Die die must be from Vendor which unfortunately most don't
update their driver.
One fine example is Asus, once they come out with driver stable
release they won't release another one.

 

[cscs3]

This I agree, there are latest MEI driver but it won't allow you to install
the driver from Intel.
Die die must be from Vendor which unfortunately most don't
update their driver.
One fine example is Asus, once they come out with driver stable
release they won't release another one.

ASUS is very bad in term of driver support.

 

[ArcticCheetah]

This I agree, there are latest MEI driver but it won't allow you to install
the driver from Intel.
Die die must be from Vendor which unfortunately most don't
update their driver.
One fine example is Asus, once they come out with driver stable
release they won't release another one.

Nope MEI driver will not save your butt
This goes deeper even deeper than SMM mode
Meaning you reinstall Windows still die, install Linux still die
Only thing you can do is pray intel/your vendor fixed all the vulnerabilities or chuck it into the dustbin.
If NSA has a super backdoor on everyone's computer this should be it.

 

[ArcticCheetah]

Yes but up to manufacturer design whether they want to
install it or not.
Not like Intel MEI where it is forced by design and manufacturer
cannot choose not to install.

I owned many AMD notebook from Turion II, Phenom II, AMD APU.
Have not seen one that have PSP enabled by default.

Nope PSP is the same it is integrated into the CPU Die.
Just no known vulnerabilities...YET
Conspiracies need ignorant masses distracted to work
Lets hope this is real disable.
If I can't trust my Intel Laptop I hope I can trust my AMD PC

 

[86technie]

ASUS is very bad in term of driver support.

That is why next laptop I will drop Asus, either Dell/Levono.
Won't forget during Win 10 migration for some Asus laptop
based on Win 8.1.
They tell me that the Windows license for those models are
only for 8.1 and by right I should not install Windows 10
since there is no license.
I was like
MS give free upgrade but Asus CS team are not aware?
That is one thing, when I request for Windows 10 driver
they say they will release it but in the end they did nothing.
There is Windows 10 under OS selection but no driver.
When I ask again, they again told me that I should use Win 8.1
since it is officially supported thus got driver support.

Really puzzled by their level of CS really like don't care at all.

 

[Ark Law]

Nope PSP is the same it is integrated into the CPU Die.
Just no known vulnerabilities...YET
Conspiracies need ignorant masses distracted to work
Lets hope this is real disable.
If I can't trust my Intel Laptop I hope I can trust my AMD PC

If NSA has a super backdoor on everyone's computer this should be it.

NSA backdoor, ISD backdoor, CCTV backdoor, webcam hack, microphone hack, Google data sell out, Win10 spying, Apple encryption spying, the list is endless...

Interestingly, that super backdoor was predicted by a game (which is now a mega franchise) back in 2001

Die die must be from Vendor which unfortunately most don't
update their driver.
One fine example is Asus, once they come out with driver stable
release they won't release another one.

That bad meh? For reference, big news about IME surfaced Nov 20, and surely Intel and OEMs knew beforehand anyway. Bios update for IME for my current-gen Dell was only released on 12 Dec. Those 6th gen gonna take quite some time me thinks...

 

[Ark Law]

For Dell owners who want to download the update or check estimated availability;

http://www.dell.com/support/article...ntel-me-txe-advisory--intel-sa-00086-?lang=en