Linux Kernel 6.2 is here, and it now has mainline support for Apple M1 chips
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Version 6.2 of the Linux operating system has been released, and while those expecting major additions may be disappointed, one change will stand out to many.
In brief blog post (opens in new tab)Linux founder and lead developer Linus Torvalds explained that a few minor fixes had been made leading up to the release, stating “I had no intention of applying last minute patches that weren’t being actively pushed by admins”.
Noticing nothing worth delaying the release of 6.2, Torvalds said any details that weren’t applied “will have to appear for stable.”
Linux 6.2
The 6.3 merge window is already open, but Torvalds has, as always, urged testers to check out version 6.2 to make sure things run smoothly.
It may not be a “sexy LTS release,” he said, but these kinds of “pedestrian kernels” require just as much testing as any.
This perhaps undermines the fact that Linux-based operating systems are now supported on a wide variety of Apple’s own silicon, including the M1 Pro, M1 Max, and M1 Ultra chips, thanks to the work of Asahi Linux’s developers.
Apple’s M-series chips have been great news for die-hard macOS fans, bringing significant performance improvements to all aspects of processing and efficiency, but they’ve been a roadblock for other hardware applications.
Mainline Linux support joins the recent news that Windows 11 is now available on M1 and M2-based Macs via virtual machine software Parallels 18.
While good news, it’s unclear what this could mean for the future Linux roadmap. While it doesn’t have the multi-billion dollar support that Windows and macOS might have, the determined bunch of developers will likely continue to work on broader compatibility for future releases.