Hector Martin, the project lead of Asahi Linux, has resigned from his position, citing burnout and a difficult experience with the Linux community, including Linus Torvalds. The Asahi Linux project aimed to bring Linux to Apple Silicon, succeeding in creating a smooth Linux experience on Mac laptops. However, the project faced criticism from entitled users and was an uphill battle due to opposition from key developers.
Despite initial support from Linus Torvalds, Martin felt that he needed hands-on involvement to move forward. The project’s current state is downstream effort, meaning patches are separate from general Linux development. The team plans to achieve kernel upstreaming in 2025, which would integrate the necessary drivers into the Linux kernel.
The new leadership aims to improve testing efforts and develop features like DisplayPort alt mode, DirectX 12 support, and internal microphones for M1 and M2 devices. However, priority is given to a strong foundation rather than new hardware, as users waiting for M3 and M4 Macs will have to wait in the future.
The community’s reaction to Martin’s resignation has been mixed, but the Asahi Linux team appears to be committed to moving forward with their ambitious goals.
Source: https://9to5mac.com/2025/02/15/apple-silicon-mac-asahi-linux-lead-resigns