Linux on Snapdragon X Elite Laptop with Tim Benton at the Linaro booth at Embedded World 2024 #ew24

At the Linaro booth during Embedded World 2024, Tim Benton, Vice President of Engineering at Linaro, discussed the integration of Linux with Snapdragon X1 Elite laptops. This collaboration between Linaro and Qualcomm has resulted in a full Linux experience on Snapdragon chips, with Benton highlighting excellent performance comparable to Apple's chips. Unlike the closed ecosystem of Apple, Linaro and Qualcomm worked closely to upstream all necessary components for Linux compatibility, ensuring out-of-the-box functionality without the need for custom kernel builds.

Able, who worked on bringing up the Linux platform, emphasized the rapid progress achieved, with full Debian support and necessary patches prepared even before the official announcement of the X1 Elite. While some adjustments were needed for drivers and device trees, much of the software could be ported over seamlessly, showcasing the interoperability of ARM-based systems and the potential for powerful, commercially available laptops by the end of the year.

Comparisons were drawn with Apple's M-series chips, with Benton suggesting that the Snapdragon X1 Elite's performance rivals or surpasses even the latest M3 chip in certain aspects, particularly in multi-threaded tasks. Discussions veered towards speculation about Apple's strategies, including the possibility of combining multiple chips for increased power, although Qualcomm hasn't ventured into similar approaches yet.

The conversation shifted to Linaro's evolution over the years, transitioning from solving specific technology problems to delivering end-to-end solutions. Collaborative engineering remains central, with Linaro's role extending beyond open-source contributions to optimizing entire product ecosystems, as demonstrated by their involvement in custom distributions and power optimization for Snapdragon-based laptops.

Benton highlighted Linaro's collaboration with individual companies, such as Remarkable, in optimizing software stacks for specific hardware, ensuring efficient power management and performance enhancements. The discussion also touched upon the growing interest in ARM-based servers, with Linaro's efforts focused on enabling SBSA compliance and supporting initiatives like AWS's Graviton.

Further conversations delved into Linaro's role in facilitating the adoption of ARM architecture across various industries, including automotive and cloud computing. The company's involvement in ensuring compatibility with Microsoft Windows on ARM highlighted their commitment to open-source enablement and interoperability.

At the Linaro booth, demonstrations showcased advancements in cloud-based testing using LAVA-managed services, emphasizing continuous automated testing for ARM-based systems across different standards and platforms. Benton also discussed Linaro Connect, an event attracting around 600 participants, serving as a platform for collaboration and networking within the ARM ecosystem.

Overall, Linaro's presence at Embedded World 2024 underscored its pivotal role in driving innovation and standardization within the ARM ecosystem, from enabling Linux on Snapdragon laptops to advancing cloud-based testing and interoperability across diverse hardware platforms and industries.

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[bankbank]

I'm hype for linux ARM laptops with real horsepower

[knofi]

Linux on ARM...that's the way to go!😊

[bernardogalvao]

As a Linux user, this is the video I was waiting for! :D

[rnlx]

Wait that means Linux drivers will be supported on day 1 release on snapdragon x elite, that's freaking awesome !

[asunavk]

No way i thought this going to be impossible, due to the possibilitiy of qualcomm only working with Microsoft but now it seems to be possible clearing my doubts on arm a bit more.
Props to the linaro team and qualcomm for this!

[julespetrikov]

It's so beautiful. I'm not crying, you're crying!

[LampJustin]

Oh my god, this is awesome, I really did not think, I'd see Linux running on the 8cx and the new elite this quickly. Thanks linaro!!

[nonetrix]

Good news, honestly was worried that laptops where going to become as locked down as phones. Good to see that's not becoming the trend so far

[xade]

I love how excited they are explaining and showing everything

[Johnmoe_]

This is my dream laptop a light, powerful, ARM powered linux laptop with 20+ hr battery life. TAKE MY MONEY!💰

[pamus]

I have waiting for this video forever since the launch of the Raspberry Pi 1 !
This is the best tech video and best news in the last 20 years. Better believe me.

[icweener]

I hope this will be on par with Apple's M Chips in REAL LIFE TEST. Excited for this to be release. Thank you for this great video

[godnyx]

If they have OFFICIAL Linux and FreeBSD support, I will consider buying it!

[stefankyriacou]

If framework make a fully modular, fanless laptop with perfect linux support, then my life will be complete.

[circuit]

Now I will seriously consider one of these if I need a new laptop

[AdamM]

exciting! Now let's go crazy making great linux hardware :)

[cbbbbbbbbbbbb]

I'm thinking of picking up the Surface Pro 10 on arm later this year. I want to know if I can dual boot linux on it or not.

[mateowoetam]

Now we just need to get RISC-V CPUs that are just as powerfull.

[DavidAlsh]

Hmmm. Linux support and full GPU acceleration? I may actually buy one of those. Will have to wait to see the build quality of the laptops though

[xellaz]

I would like this on mini-PCs and NAS'es too! 👍