The release of the alpha version of the distribution Asahi Linux is the first third-party OS to support the Apple M1 family of processors. As is common with pre-release software, there may be bugs, glitches, or important features missing. But now the platform development team has promised to speed up the work.
Image source: asahilinux.org
The creators of the project emphasized that installing Asahi Linux does not require a jailbreak of the computer, the distribution will also not affect the security features of macOS: FileVault encryption will continue to work, applications for iOS will be able to run, it will be possible to watch Netflix in 4K. It is emphasized that the alpha version is addressed primarily “developers and advanced users”and the project website provides quite extensive lists of supported and unsupported features and components.
To install the distribution, you need a computer with an M1, M1 Pro or M1 Max processor (the new Mac Studio is not yet supported) running MacOS 12.3 or later, and at least 53 GB of free disk space. With the launch of the installer, you will need to resize the macOS partition, after which the installation of the distribution itself will begin. According to the description, the distribution kit is “a modified version of Arch Linux Arm with a full Plasma desktop and all major packages, [необходимыми,] to get started with the desktop environment”. By default, after installation, dual boot becomes available, so you can return to work in macOS at any time.
Unfortunately, while a significant proportion of software and hardware components do not work. The “black list”, in particular, includes:
- DisplayPort;
- Thunderbolt;
- HDMI на MacBook;
- GPU acceleration;
- acceleration of video codecs;
- AI engine;
- CPU deep idle power saving mode;
- sleeping mode;
- camera;
- crown.
These shortcomings are partially offset by the fact that we still managed to implement support for Wi-Fi, USB, NVMe, power management, keyboard, Ethernet ports (on desktops), battery information and some other functions. But you will have to put up with the inability to run Chromium, problems in Emacs, as well as incorrect work of programs using jemalloc and libunwind.
If you notice an error, select it with the mouse and press CTRL + ENTER.