Linux running natively on M1?

[DaveFromCampbelltown]

Because Linux is more efficient. I don't need 3000 process running in the background when I only need 3.

This is true. Many tasks, like compiling a long LaTeX document run more quickly under Linux than on MacOS. This is so even when the Linux you are running is a virtual machine under VMware, as well as under a native install.

 

[nothyng]

This is true. Many tasks, like compiling a long LaTeX document run more quickly under Linux than on MacOS. This is so even when the Linux you are running is a virtual machine under VMware, as well as under a native install.

Im reading lots of ppl complaining of no use cases for Linux in the mac mini. I have many.

I currently have a power constraint (Im in Spain where electricity is super expensive for what we get paid). So I have 2 OrangePI 5 "machines" running as my kubernetes servers. I have all my services running here. Would love to have this running on a mac mini m4. More CPU power even though is not as power efficient. I would love to have my database servers running on the mac mini's more powerful CPU.

So yes, wish I could have Debian running natively on my mac mini so I could replace my "servers".

 

[bogdanw]

I haven’t tested it yet.
"The Void (Linux) distribution" https://voidlinux.org
"February 2025 Image Release: Arm64 Extravaganza
This release introduces support for several arm64 UEFI devices:
Apple Silicon"
https://voidlinux.org/news/2025/02/new-images.html
"Void's Apple Silicon support is based on Asahi Linux.
Before installing, use the Asahi Linux install script to install "UEFI environment only" from macOS
Then, create a Live USB using an Apple Silicon Void Linux ISO. U-Boot (installed by the Asahi installer) should show the external USB as a boot option."
https://docs.voidlinux.org/installation/guides/arm-devices/apple-silicon.html

 

[Xiao_Xi]

They are enabling microphone support on most laptops very soon.

Progress Report: Linux 6.14 - Asahi Linux

asahilinux.org

 

[it wasnt me]

Would love to have this running on a mac mini m4. More CPU power even though is not as power efficient.

You might want to take a look at OpenBSD. Granted, it's not a Linux distribution (BSD predates Linux by 14 years), but it is both power efficient and running it on Apple Silicon is officially supported. (OpenBSD 7.7 should be released soon-ish, and while I don't know the full changelog yet, they usually improve Apple Silicon support every time.)

 

[gank41]

Was trying to see about the process to install OpenBSD, but I'm not seeing much info about it. What I like about Asahi Fedora is that it's all very straight forward as to how much space you allocate to the drive during the install. I wonder if you can triple boot? LOL


Anyway, the Mac mini M4 doesn't look to be supported either.

• Apple M1/M2
  • Apple Mac mini (M1, 2020)
  • Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
  • Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020)
  • Apple iMac (24-inch, M1, 2021)
  • Apple MacBook Pro (14-inch, M1 Pro/Max, 2021)
  • Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, M1 Pro/Max, 2021)
  • Apple Mac Studio (M1 Max/Ultra, 2022)
  • Apple Mac mini (M2, 2023)
  • Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M2, 2022)
  • Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, M2, 2022)
  • Apple MacBook Air (15-inch, M2, 2023)
  • Apple Mac mini (M2 Pro, 2023)
  • Apple MacBook Pro (14-inch, M2 Pro/Max, 2023)
  • Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, M2 Pro/Max, 2023)
  • Apple Mac Studio (M2 Max/Ultra, 2023)

 

[it wasnt me]

Was trying to see about the process to install OpenBSD, but I'm not seeing much info about it.

Basically, press Enter a few times. (The actual process is more complicated. But in most cases, "press Enter a few times" covers almost the whole installation.)

the Mac mini M4 doesn't look to be supported either.

I don't know the full changelog yet, they usually improve Apple Silicon support every time.

However, if something does not work well, the people on the mailing lists are usually rather interested in detailed bug reports, so that "something" can be fixed.

 

[gank41]

Basically, press Enter a few times. (The actual process is more complicated. But in most cases, "press Enter a few times" covers almost the whole installation.)







However, if something does not work well, the people on the mailing lists are usually rather interested in detailed bug reports, so that "something" can be fixed.

Seems like the same list of supported devices for OpenBSD as there is for Asahi Fedora. I read one of the Asahi Team's Mastodon posts about M3/M4 support and they described the entire boot process as being different on those devices as opposed to M1/M2 devices. I'd assume once the Asahi Team figures it out, there'll be updates for this, too

 

[it wasnt me]

Probably, given this note on the OpenBSD ARM64 page:

Apple systems need to have a UEFI environment installed before OpenBSD can be booted. This can be done by running the Asahi Linux installer.