14 DAY TRIAL // The Intel Graphics Installer for Linux, a tool that allows users to easily install the latest graphics and video drivers for your Intel graphics hardware, has reached version 1.0.4 and is now available for download.
The installer is a very handy tool that is unique to the Intel platform. The rest of the hardware makers that provide GPUs don't bother making any kind of graphical installer for the Linux users, but Intel is way ahead of everyone in this matter.
“The Intel Graphics Installer for Linux allows you to easily install the latest graphics and video drivers for your Intel graphics hardware. This allows you to stay current with the latest enhancements, optimizations, and fixes to the Intel Graphics Stack to ensure the best user experience with your Intel graphics hardware,” reads the official website.
If this sounds too good to be true, that is because it is. There are some serious limitations in this tool and it only works on Fedora and Ubuntu systems. They might be among the most used operating systems out there, but there is also a large number of other distros that could use it.
The developers have said that the Intel Graphics Installer comes with the Intel Graphics Stack, and the latest version is 2013Q4, launched on December 20, 2013. Among the changes implemented in this latest version there is OpenGL 3.3 API support, Fast Boot support, and power saving features.
According to the developers, OpenGL 3.3 API support landed in Mesa 10 along with new GL extensions, and the power features PC8+ and eDP Panel Self Refresh (PSR) landed on this kernel for 4th-generation Intel Core processors with Intel HD Graphics.
Also, Haswell PC8+ is now supported, the eLLC cache support for 4th-generation Intel Core processors with Intel Iris Pro Graphics 5200 has been added, atomic page flipping has been added, VMA objects have been introduced for the first time, and a number of 2D drivers have been updated.
Intel developers also explained that Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3600 Series used in the Intel Atom Processor N2600 Series and Intel Atom™ Processor N2800 Series are not supported by this installer. Users should check with the hardware vendors for official support.
More details about Intel Graphics Installer for Linux can be found on the official website. The latest version of the Intel Graphics Installer, 1.0.4, can be downloaded from Softpedia.