Patreon Project Looks to Bring Linux to Apple Silicon

Dec 03, 2020

Developer Hector Martin has created a patreon page to fund his work on developing a port of Linux for Apple Silicon Macs.

Developer Hector Martin believes Linux is capable of running on Apple hardware powered by M1 chips. In fact, he believes so much in this goal, that he’s created a Patreon project to help fund his efforts. 

This is quite a major task for a single developer, but Martin believes he’s able to pull it off. The project, however, will require a full-time effort, which is why the developer has created the Patreon page.

Martin’s developer experience includes Linux ports of the Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation 4.

About this project, Martin says, “Apple just released a new range of ARM-based Apple Silicon Macs that blow every other ARM machine in the same class out of the water. Wouldn’t it be nice if they could run Linux too?” As for whether or not the M1-powered Mac hardware can run Linux,  Martin makes the claim, “As it turns out, they can, but someone needs to do the work.”

As of this moment, Martin has reached his Patreon kick-off goal and the project will start in earnest in January, 2021. He plans on documenting his progress and doing the occasional live streams.

In an interview with ZDNet, Linux Torvalds (the creator of Linux) said this of porting Linux to the M1 chip, “The main problem with the M1 for me is the GPU and other devices around it, because that’s likely what would hold me off using it because it wouldn’t have any Linux support unless Apple opens up... [that] seems unlikely, but hey, you can always hope.”

Find out more about Hector Martin's efforts on his official Patreon page.

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