# The merge window for Linux Kernel 7.1 has opened, and the new kernel is already getting readied through subsystem pull requests and feature-branch activity.

*genai · news · 2026-04-13 · Wccftech*

## Key points

- Linux 7.1 will begin removing support for Intel i486 CPUs, ending compatibility with this legacy architecture.
- AMD Kaveri, Kabini, and Mullins APUs will default to the AMDGPU driver, enabling out-of-the-box Vulkan support.
- Intel Panther Lake CPUs will have FRED enabled by default, improving performance and security.
- Linux 7.1 KVM will expose AVX-512 BMM for guest VMs, supporting upcoming AMD Zen 6 processors.
- Linux 7.1 will support multiple batteries per HID device, addressing a previous kernel limitation.

**Companies:** Intel, AMD, NVIDIA, Lenovo, MediaTek, TUXEDO Computers
**Countries:** United States, China, Germany

[Read the full story on Wccftech](https://wccftech.com/linux-7-1-kernel-starts-enabling-intel-fred/)

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Canonical: https://newsio.io/n/39eb245e-72cf-4edc-81af-b417e592cf61/the-merge-window-for-linux-kernel-7-1-has-opened-and-the-new-kernel-is-already-g
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