Asahi Linux on MacBook Air M1

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MikeB4

MikeB4
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#323090 24-Oct-2025 16:45

I am considering trying Asahi Linux on my old M1 MacBook Air. This distro is developed for use on Apple silicon. I have been using the MacBook Air for Beta testing but thinking of using it with Linux. Has anyone here tried or using Asahi Linux on Apple Silicon and if so how has it gone? Any issues. or gotchas I should be aware of?

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

d3Xt3r

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#3427809 24-Oct-2025 20:48

I have an M1 MBA running Asahi and macOS in dual boot. It's usable, but I prefer macOS for the time being.

The main issues are:

- Battery life is nowhere as good as macOS

- No video out (DP Alt mode)

- No Thunderbolt (only regular USB-C)

One of the main reasons I use a MacBook is for the battery life, so having it cut short is a big dealbreaker for me. I do like the idea of running Linux on it though, I might switch to it full-time when Apple stops supporting the M1 (or they deliberately sabotage the battery life or something).

shaned

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#3427820 24-Oct-2025 23:40

OSX feels a bit brain dead after 3 decades of Linux, but Asahi can’t yet compete with the hardware support. A big advantage of making the hardware and the OS I suppose.

I’m pretty happy with the selection of terminals (currently wezterm), the command line tools from homebrew, and OrbStack for Linux VMs, docker and k8s.

I hear Parallels is very good for full machine emulation(windows and Linux), but I only really need a terminal, a browser, and vscode.

If you want to get your hands dirty and can live with the half cooked drivers, Asahi is sure to be educational. If you need to get some work done, keep OSX in charge of the hardware and put Linux in OrbStack or Parallels.

MikeB4

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#3427834 25-Oct-2025 08:08

The MacBook Air is my hobby device. Since stopping working computing is again a hobby. I have my iMac for getting stuff done like accounts, taxes, purchasing, buying, looking for stuff to buy etc etc…

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.