Latest News from the world of Open Source indicate significant progress in the field of Linux support for ARM64 architectures. This development encompasses both current generation devices and upcoming innovations.
The success of Apple’s computers using Apple Silicon processors has underscored the potential of ARM architecture, sparking greater interest in ARM devices within the Linux community. Efforts are underway to develop drivers for graphic processors, chipsets, and other components to ensure that Linux operates smoothly on ARM64 platforms much like it does on traditional X86 systems.
Of particular note are Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon X Elite processors. The company is actively collaborating with Linux to guarantee comprehensive support for its products. Despite some reports of lower real-world performance, there remains significant interest in these chips. For instance, Tuxedo Computers, a German manufacturer, has initiated development of a Linux laptop based on the Snapdragon X processor. This comes after the release of the STELLARIS model and the company’s own version of Ubuntu featuring the KDE shell.
In other developments, Almalinux has expanded official support for the latest Raspberry Pi 5 model and several earlier versions from Pi 3A+ to Pi 3B+. The Almalinux team has created a customized system based on Raspberry Pi Foundation software with added firmware. This expanded support covers Almalinux versions 8.10 and 9.4.
Further enhancements are being made to ensure compatibility between Raspberry Pi 5 and the mainline Linux kernel. Andrea Della Porto from SUSE is working on integrating the driver for the Southern bridge RP1 of Raspberry Pi 5 into the official Linux development branch. Concurrently, Dave Stevenson from the Raspberry Pi Foundation has introduced a set of 31 patches to enhance support for the Broadcom BCM2712 system-on-chip used in Pi 5.
These advancements aim to streamline support for ARM64 devices in Linux, eliminating the need for custom builds or manufacturer-specific patches. However, this task presents challenges, as ARM devices lack the same foundational compatibility as X86 devices, which largely adhere to IBM PC standards, as noted in a 2022 analysis of the Armbian distribution.