Fedora Asahi Remix 39 has been released, making it the first full M1/M2 Linux distribution available for MacBook, Mac Mini, Mac Studio, and iMac devices. This collaboration between Asahi Linux and the Fedora Project marks a significant milestone in bringing Linux to Apple Silicon Macs.
The collaboration, which began in 2021, aimed to provide a polished Linux experience tailored for Apple's ARM-based computers. The developers' goal is to enable all distributions to integrate their work, ensuring a smooth experience for users across different distros.
Fedora Asahi Remix offers the choice of two desktop environments: the default KDE Plasma 5.27 LTS, providing a smooth desktop experience akin to macOS, and GNOME 45 as an alternative. Both desktop options utilize the Wayland window system and incorporate XWayland for compatibility with legacy X11 applications. Additionally, the release boasts the world's first certified conformant OpenGL ES 3.1 implementation for Apple Silicon, with OpenGL 4.x support promised for the next release.
If you want to install Fedora Asahi Remix, you can do it from your macOS. Just use some easy commands in the terminal, and you're good to go! They've also added a special setup wizard to make it super easy for new users to get started.
Audio quality on M1/M2 Macs is significantly improved in this release, thanks to an innovative integrated Digital Signal Processor (DSP) open-source project called speakersafetyd. Additionally, the new Pipewire 1.0 streaming software is used to integrate audio and video, enhancing the overall user experience on these devices.
While Mac Pro support is not currently available, it is expected to be included in the upcoming Fedora Linux 40 release, which will also deliver OpenGL 4.x and Vulkan support, along with full Apple M1/M2 graphics support.
