With Linux 7.0 expected for release later today , in turn the Linux 7.1 merge window will kick off for the two week period of landing all sorts of exciting new features, changes, and removal of old features from the kernel. Here is a look at some of what is on the table for the Linux 7.1 merge window.

While the changes still need to be pulled by Linus Torvalds once the Linux 7.1 merge window opens, below is a look at much of what is expected to land for this next kernel cycle. Based on the monitoring of the various "-next" subsystem/feature branches and mailing list activity at Phoronix, here are a number of the changes expected for Linux 7.1. From beginning to remove i486 CPU support to new Intel and AMD CPU features, improving old AMD APU support, retiring UDP-Lite, continued enablement of the NVIDIA Nova driver, and a lot more... Linux 7.1 is sure to be another very exciting kernel cycle.

- Linux 7.1 is expected to begin removing Intel 486 CPU support for those old and obsolete but nostalgic relics.

- Enabling Intel FRED by default for better performance on new Intel Panther Lake CPUs.

- Raising the minimum required Rust version when building the Linux kernel with Rust programming language support.

- Retiring of the UDP-Lite code from the Linux networking subsystem and the resulting cleansed code should be faster for UDP than before.

- Lenovo Legion HID drivers are expected to be mainlined