project asahi , aimed at porting Linux to work on Mac computers equipped with ARM-chip Apple M1 (Apple Silicon), posted The first alpha release of a reference distribution that allows anyone who wants to familiarize themselves with the current level of development of the project. Distribution supports installation on devices with M1, M1 Pro and M1 MAX. It is noted that the build is not yet ready for ubiquitous use by regular users, but are already suitable for initial familiarization by developers and advanced users.
ASAHI Linux is based on the Arch Linux batch database, includes a traditional set of programs and comes with the KDE Plasma Desktop. The distribution is built using the ARCH Linux full-time repository, and all specific changes, such as a kernel, installer, bootloader, auxiliary scripts and settings of the environment, are made in Separate repository .
At the same time, the project is aimed at providing Linux work on Apple M1 systems in general and is ready to contribute to the emergence of such support in any distributions.
To install the distribution, a shell script is prepared from MacOS (“CURL https://alx.sh | sh”), which, depending on the selected filling loads from 700MB to 4GB of data and generates a surroundings with Linux, which can be used in parallel With the already existing MacOS system. To install at least 53 GB of free disk space (15GB for Linux distribution and 38GB reserve for the correct installation of MacOS updates). Installing ASAHI Linux does not disrupt the existing MacOS environment except for a decrease in the size of the disk section used in MacOS.
declared to ensure correct operation in the Wi-Fi distribution, USB2 (Thunderbolt ports), USB3 (Mac Mini Type A ports), Screen, NVME, Ethernet drives, SD card readers, Laptop Cover Closing Sensor (LID Switch), Built-in screen, keyboard, touchpad, keyboard backlight control, switching Frequency CPU, receiving battery charge information. On M1 systems, the headphone connection connector also works, and an output via HDMI is available on Mac Mini devices. From the components, the implementation of the support of which is located at the final stage and will soon be available, called USB3, built-in loudspeakers and screen controller (backlight, V-SYNC, power management).