[SOLVED] New kernel supports less/different hardware - Why?

[ladon]

Hi all,

Why does a new linux kernel support less or different hardware?
I can hear quite often that some graphic cards or other hardware were working absolutly fine, till the next version of
the same linux distribution. It came out that in the new kernel, the specific hardware driver isn't supported anymore.

Shouldn't it be like that, that all hardware plus new hardware will be supported in a new kernel?
What's the sense to update your system when you never can't be sure if your system is still working after that?

Many thanks,
Andreas

[xenopeek]

Some manufacturers support Linux better than others. Some have proprietary drivers, so nobody but the manufacturer can update the driver if that is needed to work with a newer kernel version (the kernel does evolve). Other manufacturers actively contribute to the Linux kernel with open source drivers, which usually means that those will kept up to date with newer kernel versions. And if not the manufacturer itself will do the needed work, any other developer can do so.

As with anything in life; you vote with your wallet. Will you support the manufacturers that have best support and understanding for Linux and open source? Or will you continue to support the manufacturers that do not...

[ladon]

That's a very good explanation. Thank you very much!
Is there maybe any laptop manufacturer which "fully supports" Linux?
E.g. Toshiba, Dell .....
So that I can already but the "right" laptop where the hardware is Linux supported.

Many many thanks,
Andreas

[xenopeek]

Yes These guys keep a list of Linux friendly laptop and desktop vendors: http://linuxpreloaded.com/

[ladon]

Perfect.
Many thanks for your help.

Best regards,
Andreas