Linux creator Linus Torvalds has expressed strong interest in Apple's M-series internal silicon chips, suggesting that his platform could offer greater capabilities on such arm64 machines.
The report, which explains that it contains "nothing really interesting" but rather "lots of random little things", was written on a silicon device:
"I posted (and am writing this) on an arm64 laptop. It's something I've been waiting for a _long_ time, and it's finally happening.
Apple + Linux
Torvalds explains that he has worked with Apple computers before, but "none really usable as a development platform until now.
His first venture with Apple was on a PowerPC 970 machine, several years before he gave it another go with a MacBook Air, which he said was "the only true thin and light thing out there." Sure, there's a huge selection of thin and light laptops to choose from in today's climate, but Apple's lure had him giving it another try.
This time, and on an M-series Mac, Torvalds has been running builds and test boots, but the creator of Linux hopes he can one day travel with one of these arm64 laptops and carry on, proud of it.
Linux version 5.19
Beneath Torvalds' praise for Apple's silicon are some notes on the latest version of the project: 5.19. Phoronix (Opens in a new tab) Deeper Comprehensive Updates; A lighter preview compiled by The Register (opens in a new tab) shows some of the main features of the update, including:
- Support for Intel Trusted Domain Extensions
- AMD SEV-SNP Support
- Cross-platform support for Arm
- ASUS motherboard monitoring improvements
- Removed support for the Renesas H8/300 CPU architecture, which was previously removed before being reinstated