With TrueCrypt not officially supporting Windows 8 yet, Bitlocker appears to be the default option for full disk encryption on a new laptop. However, Bitlocker suffers a major usability degradation on systems without a TPM (need to store keys on a flashdrive or enter a 48 digit pin instead of a password).
My problem is that I can't find any way to determine if a laptop is equipped with a TPM; even looking at models that I know have them (eg Dell Latitude) it doesn't appear to be listed anywhere.
52 Answers
At least every system branded with Intel vPro has to be equipped with a TPM.
For a particular model the manual usually states whether it has a TPM or not, at least the ones I checked. Sometimes they refer to the TPM as security chip or something like that, but when you search the documents you can usually find the terms TPM or Trusted Platform Module. Lenovo for example has a special section on BitLocker in the ThinkPad manuals I've had a look at.
As a rule of thumb, all business class systems come with a TPM (Lenovo ThinkPads, HP Elitebook, ...)
1it appears that all 7th gen i-series intel processors have a tpm. but I've been so jaded about all this bullshit I'm not sure i fully trust that. dealing with tpm/bitlocker issues has made my life effin' miserable
