Linux 6.2: The first mainstream Linux kernel for Apple M1 chips arrives (zdnet.com)

Article summary

The Linux 6.2 kernel has been released, which includes support for Apple M1 chips, allowing Linux to run on modern Macs. This was made possible by the work of the Asahi Linux developers, who overcame significant challenges to achieve this goal. The new kernel also includes other features and improvements, such as support for Intel Arc Graphics and Nvidia GeForce RTX 30 series. This development is significant for Linux users who want to run Linux on their Macs.

Main themes

• Linux on Apple M1 chips
• Open-source project contributions
• Negativity and hostility in open-source communities
• Touchpad software and user experience
• Recognition of individual contributors
• Challenges and successes of Asahi Linux project
• Linux kernel development and features

What commenters say

• The article's failure to mention the project lead, Hector Martin, is a significant oversight.
• Recognizing individual contributors to open-source projects can be important, but it can also lead to feelings of alienation among those not mentioned.
• Some contributors to open-source projects face significant negativity and hostility from users, which can be discouraging and even lead to burnout.
• The work of Asahi Lina on the kernel driver is notable and deserves recognition, building on Alyssa's reverse engineering work.
• The touchpad software on Linux is not yet up to the standard of the Apple version, which may be a barrier to adoption for some users.
• Linux has had support for Magic Trackpad gestures for some time, and Asahi should be using Wayland out of the box to provide a good user experience.
• Palm rejection issues can be a problem on some Linux laptops, but this may not be a issue with the M1 Macs.
• The decision to highlight certain contributors over others may be intentional, and it is possible that Hector Martin instructed the article to focus on other team members.