On March 18, 2022 the developer Hector Martin announced a release of the alpha version of the Asahi Linux distribution kit for Mac on M1, M1 Pro and M1 Max chips. This first test build is only recommended for enthusiasts and developers who want to test their Macs on Linux.
According to OpenNET, Asahi Linux is based on the Arch Linux package base. It contains a stock set of applications and comes with the KDE Plasma desktop. The Asahi Linux distribution is built using the regular Arch Linux repositories, and all specific changes, such as the kernel, installer, bootloader, auxiliary scripts and environment settings, are moved to a separate project repository.
These components are supported and work properly on the Asahi Linux distribution for Mac Alpha on M1 chips (Mac Studio not supported): Wi-Fi, USB2 (Thunderbolt ports), USB3 (Mac Mini Type A ports), Display (no GPU support) , NVMe drives, Ethernet port, card reader, cover close sensor, built-in screen (framebuffer only), keyboard, touchpad, keyboard backlight control, CPU frequency switching, battery status, headphone jack, HDMI output (Mac Mini).
The developer of the project promises to soon add support for USB3, built-in speakers and a screen controller (backlight, V-Sync, power management).
Not supported or stable: DisplayPort, Thunderbolt, HDMI port on MacBook, Bluetooth, stock GPU graphics acceleration, video codec hardware acceleration, Neural Engine, touchpad, CPU power saving modes, video camera.
The author explained that to test the alpha version of Asahi Linux for Mac, it is better to use Dual-Boot.
Hector Martin took on the project of porting Linux to Mac with the M1 in early 2021. He is assisted by other developers, including Alyssa Rosenzweig, who reverse-engineers the GPU drivers for the M1 chip.
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