Linux Kernel 5.13 will bring M1 chip support

by ·

The commit information of Linux Kernel shows that the initial support for the Apple M1 chip has been merged into the Linux SoC code tree. It is expected that Linux Kernel 5.13 will bring support for the M1 chip. From the commit information, we can see that the developer who implemented the initial support for M1 in the Linux Kernel is Hector Martin, a Linux migration expert. His commit has been tested on the following devices:

Docker Desktop Preview Apple M1

  • Mac mini (M1, 2020)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020)
  • MacBook Air (M1, 2020)

The preliminary M1 support includes UART, interrupt, SMP, and device tree bits to provide basic functions. There is also a frame buffer based on SimpleFB, but it is obviously a difficult challenge to achieve well-supported 3D/video acceleration.

In December last year, Hector Martin also initiated a crowdfunding campaign to port the Linux system to the M1 Macbook. According to reports, the current transplantation work is relatively smooth, and it is expected that a stable version will be formed around June 2021. In addition, Corellium developers have successfully launched Ubuntu on M1 Mac mini.

However, if you need to fully support M1, many key issues have to be solved, especially to make Mac’s graphics system fully run under Linux for daily use.

Tags: