This could turn into something interesting.
Developer Hector Martin, also known as “marcan,” on Monday launched a Patreon account to fund his solo work on a Linux port for the new Apple Silicon Macs.
Per Martin, the new M1-power Macs are capable of running Linux, but creating a working port is a major undertaking for a single developer. While Martin claims he’s up to the job, he’s asking for financial backing to make it a full-time job, which is where the Patreon comes in.
Martin’s tech credentials with open source code is impressive, and includes projects involving Nintendo’s Wii console to more recent Linux ports for Sony’s PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. The Patreon’s goal, according to the developer, is to massage Linux on M1 Macs “to the point where it is not merely a tech demo, but is actually an OS you would want to use on a daily driver device.”
While it’s debatable as to whether the operating system can run on Apple Silicon, legendary developer Linus Torvalds has said he would “absolutely love” to own an M1-powered Mac if it ran Linux, but is uncertain such a premise is feasible.
“The main problem with the M1 for me is the GPU and other devices around it, because that’s likely what would hold me off using it because it wouldn’t have any Linux support unless Apple opens up,” Torvalds commented last week.
Martin has stated that creating a custom GPU bundle would be a major hurdle, as would writing code for effective power management.
“Running Linux on things is easy, but making it work well is hard,” Martin says in the Patreon description. “Drivers need to be written for all devices. The driver for the completely custom Apple GPU is the most complicated component, which is necessary to have a good desktop experience. Power management needs to work well too, for your battery life to be reasonable.”
The Patreon tiers range from $3 to $48 per month, and include perks such as the ability to vote on the development of upcoming features, patron-only livestreams and more. Martin has estimated that he’ll need about $4,000 a month to finance the project, with 100 percent of his Stage One Goal being met, and 39 percent of his Stage Two Goal (not having to take on freelance work) having been attained as of this writing.
Martin has also stated that he plans to collaborate with other developers and “anyone else who wants to contribute.”
A timeline for completion has not been released.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via AppleInsider, Patreon, Real World Technologies, and ZDNet