How reports Phoronix, the first set of patches for the Linux kernel with Device Tree files and bindings for the Apple Silicon M4 SoC, also known as t8132, has been released. This is not yet about full support for MacBook or Mac mini under Linux, but rather the earliest stage — the possibility of booting the kernel and establishing a base for further work.
The patches were submitted by developer Yureka Lilian. In the description of the series , it is stated that it adds initial Device Tree and dt-bindings for devices on Apple M4, largely repeating the recent work on M3 that entered the Linux 7.2 cycle. This set covers only the minimal amount of hardware needed as a foundation for future development.
Unlike the Asahi Linux user release, these changes are primarily intended for the kernel upstream. There is currently no support for graphics, a full desktop, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NVMe, and other important components: in the Asahi Linux documentation for M4 , most key blocks are still marked as TBA, and the installer for M4 devices is listed as unavailable.
It is also noted that much of the work to get M4 into a bootable state is currently related not only to the kernel but also to the m1n1 bootloader. Due to changes in new Apple chips, some CPU settings are now set and locked by iBoot, and the launch of SMP still depends on additional idle=nop patches and remains unstable.
Thus, this news is more important for developers and enthusiasts than for ordinary users. Apple M4 has taken the first step towards support in mainline Linux, but there is still a long way to go before it reaches a state of ‘install the system and work’: the project still needs to refine booting, peripherals, power-saving, and especially graphical acceleration.
Source: linux.org.ru
