[1] This eliminates the need for the operating system to probe hardware directly to discover what devices are present in the computer.
The SMBIOS specification is produced by the Distributed Management Task Force (DMTF), a non-profit standards development organization.
[5][6] Version 2.0 of the Desktop Management BIOS specification was released on March 6, 1996 by American Megatrends (AMI), Award Software, Dell, Intel, Phoenix Technologies, and SystemSoft Corporation.
The authors were American Megatrends, Award Software, Compaq, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, International Business Machines (IBM), Phoenix Technologies, and SystemSoft Corporation.
[11] The SMBIOS table consists of an entry point (two types are defined, 32-bit and 64-bit), and a variable number of structures that describe platform components and features.
For example, a Mini PC that advertises Chassis Information | Type = Tablet may behave unexpectedly using Linux.
Additionally, if the Chassis Information | Manufacturer is not filled in correctly then work-arounds for the incorrect Type = Tablet problem cannot be applied.