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Asahi Linux on Apple Silicon?

P

pax-eterna

macrumors regular
Original poster
Feb 24, 2022
192
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So far, what is the general consenus on running Asahi Fedora Linux on Mac silicon?

Pros and cons? Or is it something folks do, just because they can and for no other reason?
 
I mean. The pros and cons of running asahi

Pros:
You get to run a Linux distribution

Con:
You’re not running macOS.

Pros and cons of not running asahi

Pros:
You run macOS

Cons:
You are not running a Linux distribution.

It’s mostly down to preference but also of course software availability if you need something only on one platform
 
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Why was tis moved to that other thread? Has NOTHING to do with Windows....
 
pax-eterna said:
Why was tis moved to that other thread? Has NOTHING to do with Windows....
Click to expand...
You placed it in iOS alternatives before. It has nothing to do with iOS either.

1714918475350.png

Explicitly is about Linux, macOS and other operating systems running on Macs.

iOS and its elk run on phones. Asahi Linux runs on the Mac. This forum is the appropriate one
 
Asahi can be fun to play with but I wouldn’t use it as a daily driver yet until its feature set makes use of everything the hardware has to offer. The main problem with Asahi is that it replaces the OS on fairly current hardware in turn removing interoperability with iPhones and such. Coming from someone that loves Linux (Fedora & Nobara).

if you want to run Linux, I’d recommend Thinkpads. They’re high quality, have a good warranty, and Linux can make use of everything the hardware has to offer.
 
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pax-eterna said:
So far, what is the general consenus on running Asahi Fedora Linux on Mac silicon?

Pros and cons? Or is it something folks do, just because they can and for no other reason?
Click to expand...
If I could get Citrix Workspace running, there's a good chance I'd use it WAY more than I do. I've also not really tested Audio Recording software like Audacious or others, as I like Logic Pro. But FWIW I do enjoy listening to music more while I'm booted into Linux as opposed to macOS? I've been following along with the Asahi folks as they've been troubleshooting issues, and it seems like they've been able to unlock more of what the hardware can do than what macOS allows. Picture rooting an Android Phone so you can screw around with it, but it's a MacBook Pro running Linux (that still dual boots to macOS).
 
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tornado99 said:
One interesting benefit would be if it eventually allowed better game performance through Proton + Steam than OS-X. Not sure how technically possible that is though.

On intel linux you can use this

github.com

GitHub - GloriousEggroll/proton-ge-custom: Compatibility tool for Steam Play based on Wine and additional components

Compatibility tool for Steam Play based on Wine and additional components - GloriousEggroll/proton-ge-custom
github.com github.com
Click to expand...

Yes, that was my thinking....lot more games available via Proton than native macOS, and my experience with Codeweavers Crossover has been poor to date....
 
Is this project dead?

Still no M3 support.

I emailed two main developers I think. That was several month ago and never got an answer. Just wanted to know, if there is an option to try it on M3.
 
Adora said:
Is this project dead?

Still no M3 support.

I emailed two main developers I think. That was several month ago and never got an answer. Just wanted to know, if there is an option to try it on M3.
Click to expand...
It's definitely not dead, no. Not sure about any sort of ETA or timeline for M3 & M4 Macs,

I recommend following Hector Martin on Mastodon, as they're one of the main folks that posts about updates. Their latest update does mention the work they're doing on the M3's, and they did merge their work with the official Fedora team, too.

Hector Martin (@marcan@treehouse.systems)

Re predictors.fail: The researchers apparently tried to flip our documented chicken bits to disable the predictors. That, of course, didn't work, other than the "big hammer" bit that forces in-order execution (which also worked for GoFetch). Because pretty much by definition, any new features...
social.treehouse.systems social.treehouse.systems

Another update I remember seeing from them semi-recently was about the "maintaining" part of the Linux packages. I think, initially, everything was just kept on one of their own servers, and now since they've joined forces with Fedora official, there can upstream updates and make things better and more stable overall. Their main goal is not just to get things working, but to get them running stable and very well long term. I have no doubt that at some point, probably sooner than later, they'll announce support for the M3's. At one point I remember them posting about how they just needed a physical machine of one of the M2 Macs so they could test, and they wouldn't release specific updates until they could confirm that it worked on a certain model. So, good for that. I for one am glad they're taking their time and getting things right.
 
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I find it interesting reading their commentary on how ARM computers work under the hood as opposed to how most of the Linux community just assumes Linux should run. Then the Asahi team fires back with "No, this this and this makes this..." type of stuff.. LOL They're some smart folks. They managed to implement and release what Microsoft can't or probably won't do- Take ownership of running and maintaining a new operating system on hardware that's never been publicly tested before.
 
Also of note, these kind folks developing for Asahi Linux are a part of and/or closely related to the LGBTQ+ Community, and I've seen a LOT of hate directed towards them because of it. They haven't replied to me about something I messaged on Mastodon, and that was this last Summer. I wouldn't take it personally. I think they've got a "Submit Feedback" option on their page? Possibly on their GitHub page that's linked at the bottom of their home page.
 
What is really amazing is the huge amount of insanely complicated reverse engineering that they’ve had to do to get anything working on Asahi Linux.
 
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Adora said:
Is this project dead?

Still no M3 support.

I emailed two main developers I think. That was several month ago and never got an answer. Just wanted to know, if there is an option to try it on M3.
Click to expand...
Here's a good response from Hector Martin just now about this...

Hector Martin (@marcan@treehouse.systems)

Every now and then someone asks "why can't I just try installing Asahi on an M3 or M4 even if they aren't supported?". The answer is, because that would make no sense. Apple Silicon machines do not have a standard platform firmware like EFI/BIOS. *We* are writing that for them. That means that...
social.treehouse.systems social.treehouse.systems
 
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"Still no M3 support."

maybe now, since they stopped installing on Monterrey macs now, or months ago.
 
pax-eterna said:
So far, what is the general consenus on running Asahi Fedora Linux on Mac silicon?

Pros and cons? Or is it something folks do, just because they can and for no other reason?
Click to expand...
Not all hardware is supported even for M1 and performance is questionable at times. Weird bugs. For example I installed it recently on M1 Mini and i was using Magic keyboard with usb cable. Somehow keyboard battery got discharged.
 
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