Linux 7.0-rc3 includes new hardware support for ASUS gaming laptops, HP Victus/Omen series, Dell 2-in-1s, and OneXPlayer handhelds through updated platform drivers.
The Linux kernel continues its march toward version 7.0 with the third release candidate now including expanded hardware support for several major manufacturers. Ilpo Järvinen of Intel has merged a set of x86 platform driver fixes that add support for new devices from ASUS, HP, Dell, and OneXPlayer, all of which are safe to include post-merge-window as they primarily involve new device ID additions.
ASUS Armoury Gets Gaming Laptop Support
The ASUS Armoury driver, which made its way into Linux 6.19, now supports three additional devices. The FA401UM, which represents the ASUS TUF Gaming A14 2025 model featuring Ryzen AI 300 series processors, is now recognized. The G733QS, a 2021 ROG Strix SCAR 17 laptop powered by a Ryzen 9 CPU, also gains support. Additionally, the GX650RX, known as the ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 2022 with its Ryzen 9 6900HX series processor, is now compatible with the asus-armoury platform driver.
HP WMI Driver Expands Victus and Omen Coverage
HP's WMI driver sees significant expansion with support for several new laptop models. The Omen 14-fb1xxx, 16-xd0xxx, and 16-wf0xxx series are now recognized, along with the Victus-d0xxx lineup. These additions ensure better integration and control for HP's gaming and mainstream laptop offerings under Linux.
Dell 2-in-1 Laptops Added to Intel HID Support
The Intel HID driver has been updated to include the Dell 14 and Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 laptops in its DMI VGBS allow list. This change ensures these convertible devices work properly with the HID infrastructure. Additionally, a fix has been implemented to enable the 5-button array on the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 16 Gen 1, improving the unique folding laptop's functionality.
OneXPlayer Handhelds Get Enhanced Support
One of the more interesting additions is the extension of the OneXPlayer EC driver to support several new handheld gaming devices. The driver now recognizes the OneXPlayer X1 Air, X1z, APEX, and the Aokzoe A2 Pro devices. This expanded support is particularly relevant as handheld gaming PCs continue to grow in popularity, with Linux offering a viable alternative to Windows for these devices.
Dell Driver Fixes and Alienware Enhancements
The dell-wmi-sysman driver has received a security-focused fix to prevent hex dumping of plain text password data, addressing a potential information disclosure issue. Meanwhile, the Dell Alienware-WMI-WMAX driver has added G-Mode support for M18 laptops, allowing users to take advantage of Alienware's performance optimization features under Linux.
These hardware support additions in Linux 7.0-rc3 demonstrate the kernel's ongoing commitment to supporting the latest devices across all form factors, from gaming laptops and 2-in-1 convertibles to handheld gaming PCs. As manufacturers continue to innovate, the Linux kernel development community responds by ensuring these new devices can run smoothly on open-source platforms.
For developers and enthusiasts interested in the technical details, the full set of changes is available in the pull request submitted by Ilpo Järvinen.
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