EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface) is future BIOS replacement… EFI is a specification that defines a software interface between an operating system and platform firmware. EFI is intended as a significantly improved replacement of the old legacy BIOS firmware interface used by modern PCs. The EFI specification was originally developed by Intel, and is now managed by the Unified EFI Forum and is officially known as Unified EFI (UEFI). The EFI specification was primarily intended to support Intel's past and future architectures under one umbrella, but has taken sometime to come be adopted by manufacturers. Intel's biggest win was Apple, which implemented EFI throughout the entire Intel based Mac range.

While specification is years in making, this year's CeBit was a place to see first (kinda) working demonstration, and as all technology that matters, we reviewed it. It featured graphical menus, standard mouse point-and-click operations… Another feature of EFI - pre-operating-system application support such as web browsers, mail applications and media players, was not yet implementated in demo version of MSI's motherboard.

We created a video of EFI in action:

MSI will start to phase EFI into its next generation motherboard platform (end of 2008), and they hope this will allow users much easier accessibility of motherboard BIOS systems. The ability to use a GUI and mouse will encourage users to attempt to unlock the full potential of today's modern motherboards, although hard core overclockers will still use text-based BIOS with all the settings…

MSI demonstrated an EFI motherboard there. Interface was pleasant and colorful. Surely more attractive than the regular BIOS in text mode. Five choices are available in the menu: Basic settings, overclocking (the only functional aspect of the demonstration), ECO (which looks like the energy saver feature) and Games (hmm?). This version of EFI also doesn't seem to take advantage of the possibility to connect to the Internet and get updates directly yet… It was only a demonstration and MSI clearly stated that it wasn't planning on selling the board any time soon.

More info on EFI: Intel's Extensible Firmware Interface, and EFI at Wikipedia …