LINUX

The new stable version number 6.2 optimized on Macs with Apple Silicon

After the Asahi Linux project gained optimization on Macs with Apple Silicon, and support for GPU1 drivers for M1 and M2 chips, Linux 6.2, the base version of the system, brought official support for M1 line processors as one of its main novelties. Despite this, the system is not yet 100% ready for use.

It is worth remembering that the team that develops Asahi Linux had already managed to make the system run on Macs with Apple Silicon, including even the M2. At the time, this was incorporated into Linux version 5.13. The new kernel 6.2 is another step in the direction of making Macs work with the penguin operating system, as well as increasing efforts to make it happen. The operation, however, still does not allow the use completely.

Despite the interesting news, some optimizations are still missing so that Linux can be used daily on Macs with M1. As AppleInsider showed, several functions such as USB ports, the touchpad and the headphone output are not working stably, so users will still have to wait a little longer until the system is more user-friendly.

Although the update was presented as simpler, especially compared to the previous one, compatibility with M1 [Pro/Max/Ultra] chips represents an important advance. The creator of Linux, Linus Torvalds, had already spoken about how it would be a challenge to make the system work on Apple machines with the new processor, showing how interesting the novelty is.

Other additions in Linux 6.2 include support for Intel Arc Graphics, as well as the processor maker's On-Demand driver and Call Depth Tracking technology, which improves performance on older chips such as the Skylake generation. We also have initial support for graphics cards from NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 30 lineup.

There is also compatibility with the Sony DualShock 4 joystick, sensors and fans from OneXPlayer, the Gaudi2 artificial intelligence accelerator from Habana Labs and motherboards from ASUS. The Raspberry Pi can also now run Linux 6.2 at 4K with a 60Hz refresh rate, among other minor updates.

Linux 6.2 is expected to become the default kernel for Ubuntu 23.04 and be included in Fedora 38 before the release of the next version of the system (6.3) in April. It remains to be seen when Macs with M2 will also gain compatibility, but that development should be taking place.

by: mundophone