What you need to know
- Dell and Lenovo have decided against using Microsoft's Pluton technology in many their PCs.
- Pluton integrates security functions with a processor and is used on Xbox consoles and some computers.
- Dell and Lenovo have opted to use Intel vPro tech for security instead, which cannot be used in conjunction with Pluton.
Microsoft's Pluton technology can be used to secure PCs, but some of the biggest manufacturers are not using it in their laptops. Dell and Lenovo have opted against using Pluton tech in many of their laptops, according to a report by The Register. In addition to Dell and Lenovo not using Pluton in their laptops, Intel hasn't implemented Pluton in any of its 12th Gen Intel Core processors. Instead, Intel went with its own TPM support.
"Pluton does not align with Dell's approach to hardware security and our most secure commercial PC requirements," said Dell to the Register.
Using something other than Pluton doesn't mean laptops from Dell are insecure. It just means that Dell has chosen to go a different route when it comes to securing devices. "As with all new technologies, we will continue to evaluate Pluton to see how it compares against existing TPM implementations in the future," said a Dell spokesperson to The Register. "Dell also provides its own additional security, implemented at the hardware and software level, to defend customers against attacks."
Lenovo appears to be taking a similar approach to Dell, at least for some of its devices. The company's upcoming Intel-based ThinkPads "will not support Microsoft Pluton at launch," according to Lenovo.
Even Lenovo's ThinkPads running AMD Ryzen 6000 processors will have Pluton disabled by default. People will have the option to enable the security tech if they'd like. In contrast to its other laptops, the new ThinkPad X13 will feature Pluton. That device runs on the new Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3. Notably, Microsoft and Lenovo worked together for four years to ensure that Lenovo's security features were compatible with Windows on ARM PCs.
Microsoft doesn't seem concerned with the fact that Dell and Lenovo aren't using Pluton at this time. "Microsoft and our partners are giving customers the flexibility and choice to configure Pluton to meet their specific needs. Microsoft is committed to working with partners and customers in the coming months and years to continue to bolster security with Pluton," said Microsoft.
Pluton was only introduced in 2020, so it may take some time for PC manufacturers to adopt it. In the meantime, companies will continue to use their own security solutions.
